Project DAWN Receives Grant to Buy Overdose Kits

WARREN, Ohio – The Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation awarded a $19,127 grant to the Trumbull County Combined Health District to fund an overdose-prevention program.

A statewide effort, Project DAWN – Death Avoidance with Naloxone – provides naloxone kits to social workers, family and friends of those addicted to opioids, primarily heroin. The program is credited with saving four lives since being started in Trumbull County. The rate of opioid use in the county has risen dramatically in recent years, with 60 overdoses in the county through the end of July – just short of the previous annual record.

“We are very concerned about heroin in our community but encouraged by the success our public health officials have documented in reversing overdoses,” said foundation chair Patrick K. Wilson in a release. “We are also pleased that two of the individuals who avoided death from the overdoses have enrolled in drug treatment programs. They are very fortunate to have second chances.”

The health district says it has made opioid overdoses a top priority and the grant will pay for 100 naloxone kits, which are good for about a 18 months after they’ve been distributed.

“We are very appreciative of these funds because money is scare and the need is great,” said Kathy Parrilla, coordinator for Project DAWN.

The health foundation also awarded $15,000 to expand Meridian HealthCare’s Panda Leaders Club, a youth-leadership program that address drugs, alcohol and bullying at Girard, Howland and Mineral Ridge middle schools. With the grant, the program will be started at Maplewood Middle School.

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