Pittsburghers can now get free stickers, buttons and window decals that say, “We have Narcan in case of emergency.”
Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, the medication that can revive someone from an opioid overdose. Many public health workers in Allegheny County attribute the recent decline in fatal overdoses, at least in part, to efforts to disseminate this medicine throughout the county.
These stickers, buttons and decals are a way to increase the naloxone's visibility and hopefully save more lives.
“[Naloxone] is as important as knowing CPR and being able to respond in a life-threatening situation,” said Laura Drogowski, the manager for Critical Communities Initiatives for Mayor Bill Peduto’s office.
Drogowski, who created the campaign, said that in addition to saving lives, these items reduce stigma around opioid use disorder.
“Stigma that may prevent people who use drugs from accessing care or being treated kindly, promoting better understanding of substance use,” she said.
These iteams can be obtained at Drogowski's office. They do not come with naloxne. People can buy the medication at pharmacies or get it for free at Prevention Point Pittsburgh, a local non-profit specializing in drug user health and harm reduction.
