June 6th is National Naloxone Awareness Day

What is National Naloxone Awareness Day?

Our national day will raise awareness of Naloxone and the vital role it plays in helping to fight the opioid epidemic in the U.S. Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone quickly restores normal breathing in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose.

How should National Naloxone Awareness Day be observed?

This day should be observed to further inform people about the importance of increasing awareness – and the availability – of Naloxone as a major part of the public health response to the opioid epidemic.

Why was National Naloxone Awareness Day created?

Establishing an official day dedicated to spreading awareness about Naloxone is especially important because much of the U.S is still unaware of how powerful a tool Naloxone can be in helping to prevent fatal overdoses.

Efforts are underway to make Naloxone more widely available and accessible in the U.S. In March 2023, in a historic action, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the over-the-counter sale of Naloxone, an important step to increase public access to the life-saving medication.

Victoria’s Voice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating drug addiction, is advocating for this national day. Founded by David and Jackie Siegel after their daughter, Victoria, 18, died of a drug overdose on June 6, 2015, Victoria’s Voice is on a mission to change policy, raise awareness and help ensure that Naloxone is more widely available.

WHO WE ARE

A thriving community depends on the health and wellness of the citizens living in it. We began this journey in 2011 to alleviate health disparities related to the abuse of illicit substances and to support the achievement of positive mental health. 

Coalition membership includes entities and individuals who hope to see improvements in county health outcomes. We value voices of government, social work, law enforcement, healthcare, schools, parents, clergy, local businesses, and community members. 

We partner with the Northwoods Coalition, a network of coalitions dedicated to substance abuse prevention in Wisconsin, and the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth, which aids coalitions in substance abuse prevention and youth development.

WHAT WE DO

Every three years the coalition participates in a Community Health Needs Assessment, which evaluates the immediate and long-term needs of our community in order to improve health factors. Once priorities are identified, strategies meant to meet the needs are written into a Community Health Improvement Plan. Our strategies and initiatives come from that informed process and are compiled in our Strategic Plan. Our focus areas include:

Mental Health. Getting a handle on mental health issues includes looking at root causes. Goals include improving resiliency skills, generating opportunities, and reducing barriers for people to thrive. 

Substance Use. Strenghtening collaboration is vital to preventing and reducing substance use among youth and adults and reducing unwarranted safety hazards. Goals include developing programming to minimize substance use and increasing environmentally friendly removal of unused prescription medication from households. 

Community. Having a support system based on healthy relationships can reduce the impact of adverse traumatic experiences. Goals include hosting community events and increasing intrapersonal skills. 

Education. Keeping track of emerging issues and best practices related to our community's health ensures the coalition stays relevant. Goals include relaying that information to the local community. 

Membership: By-Laws, Roles and Responsiblities

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BE A PART OF THE COALITION!

When: Meetings are the 4th Monday of every other month from 11:30am-1pm. Committee work happens in opposing months. 

2024 Meeting Dates

February 26th

April 22th

June 24th

August 26th

October 28rd

December 16th (due to the holidays)

Where: Phillips, WI (virtual options for attendance are available)

To Join: Call 715-339-3054 or email pricecountycoalition@gmail.com