MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — September 26 is recognized as Save a Life Day East. It's a national initiative to end overdose deaths and spread awareness.
One county in the Poconos is getting involved in the effort.
On Thursday, several organizations teamed up in Monroe County to distribute free Narcan as a part of Save a Life Day East.
"The goal is to get Narcan into as many hands as we can," said Carbon, Monroe/Pike County Drug and Alcohol Commission Recovery Specialist Stan Lewandowski.
On Thursday organizations from across the Poconos teamed up for National Save a Life Day East.
Spanning 30 states across the East Coast and beyond, it's an initiative where organizations give out free Naloxone or Narcan, to combat an ongoing epidemic.
The medicine can be used to reverse opioid overdose.
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"The way it is today anyone can walk up on somebody that's overdosing, and this medicine does save lives," Lewandowski added.
Early Thursday morning, volunteers distributed the device to people experiencing homelessness.
The team also set up shop at the Monroe County District Attorney's office, Northhampton Community College Pocono campus, and East Stroudsburg University,
Distributing the lifesaving tool and other materials, to help the cause.
"A lot of people who are struggling with addiction have families they have kids and it's really important that the community comes together to help people who are struggling so they have a chance to get some recovery," said volunteer and recovering addict Nicole Vanblarcom.
"We're just trying to reduce and hopefully someday eliminate overdose deaths. It's a big problem but we are definitely trying to stay in the fight," Lewandowski stated.
Last year, over 45,000 units of Narcan were distributed on Save a Life Day East.
