Residents interested in learning how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone — and receive a free naloxone kit — can attend a training taking place at the Kane County Health Department’s Aurora location on Aug. 31.
Naloxone is a nasal medication that reverses opioid overdoses, according to a news release from the Kane County Health Department. The medication was used more than 50 times to save a life in Kane County in 2024, according to the health department.
The upcoming training is in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, the health department said in the news release.
“Overdose Awareness Day is a very personal occasion and one that is shared by many across our community,” Michael Isaacson, the health department’s executive director, said in the release. “In addition to remembering loved ones we have lost, it is also a day to remind everyone that they have the power to save a life in the future by recognizing signs, knowing the resources available and carrying life-saving naloxone.”
The event will be held in-person, the news release said, from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the health department’s Aurora location, 1240 N. Highland Ave. No registration is required.
Naloxone is also available for free throughout the county, the health department said, at local libraries, police departments, campuses, gas stations and more. A map of where it’s available can be found at: https://kanehealthatlas.org/insights/qgztm1o4.
The county health department also offers a directory to help residents find doctors who can help with Medication-Assisted Recovery for opioid use. The directory is available at: https://www.kanehealth.com/opioid-awareness/Pages/buprenorphinedirectory.aspx.
And, the release noted, residents in need of help finding care for themselves or loved ones can contact the county’s information and referral specialist at [email protected] or 331-312-0060.