Home > Media Center > News > > > ADAMHS Board’s Nalox-A-Thon Aims to Increase Awareness of and Access to Naloxone

News Releases

Back to all News Releases

September 01, 2022 (Cleveland, OH)

ADAMHS Board’s Nalox-A-Thon Aims to Increase Awareness of and Access to Naloxone

This week on Aug. 31, the state of Ohio observed Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember and honor the many lives lost to overdose, as well as to raise awareness of the ways to prevent overdose.

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, 675 Cuyahoga County residents lost their lives to accidental overdose in 2021 and it is estimated that over 700 lives will be lost this year. These deaths have been driven by fentanyl mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Nalox-A-Thon

The overdose reversal drug naloxone is a critical tool for saving lives. The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County is holding a Nalox-A-Thon to spread awareness and is recommending ways for individuals, businesses and organizations to help increase access to naloxone. Here are some things you can do:

• Get trained to administer naloxone. Anyone can learn to administer it and carry it with them in case of an overdose emergency. This training video from Project DAWN is an informative resource. In addition, naloxone can be obtained from a Project DAWN location, or by mail from Thrive for Change or Harm Reduction Ohio.
• Install a free naloxone emergency access cabinet, or NaloxBox, at your business or organization. These cabinets hang on the wall and are stocked with naloxone to be used in an overdose emergency, similar to the way AED machines are made accessible in public places to assist with cardiac arrest.
• Share information on treatment and support. Cuyahoga County residents can connect with treatment 24 hours a day by calling 216.623.6888. Individuals also can call 211 for information about organizations that assess, treat and support those affected by substance abuse and addiction. And help is available nationwide by dialing 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline.

National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, and in conjunction with this observance the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is highlighting resources that are available for those in need of assistance as well as holding a month-long series of educational events including a virtual town hall on Sept. 13, 12-3 p.m., featuring experts from SAMHSA, Health and Human Services, Centers from Disease Control and Prevention and others