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Foundation and Fire District supply Narcan kits to police
In a recent update from the Chicago Tribune, there's a heartening story about how Lake County in Illinois overcame a critical shortage of Narcan kits, which are essential for reversing opioid overdoses. According to the Lake County Health Department, the supply had dwindled dangerously low, leaving first responders and medical personnel scrambling. But thanks to the quick action of a local foundation and a fire protection district, the situation was salvaged.
The new kits, as reported by advocates, are an improved nasal spray version that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently fast-tracked for use. Susan McKnight, who coordinates the county’s substance abuse program, expressed relief, saying, "We could have been in dire straits if it wasn’t for the Filler Foundation of Highland Park and the Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District." Phillip DeRuntz, a trustee with the fire district, mentioned that at a recent meeting of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, they learned the health department was left with only 50 kits. That's when Susan Guggenheim from the Filler Foundation stepped in, announcing a matching grant program for kits up to $25,000.
The new kits from Adapt Pharmaceutical are user-friendly and come with two doses per kit. Unlike previous models that required assembly, these can be administered through a single nostril, making them easier to use in emergencies. For the past two years, the health department had secured 3,000 kits annually from the Virginia-based Kaleo company. However, due to a nationwide shortage, they were only able to distribute 1,000 kits this year, all of which were the older injectable type.
The Filler Foundation, established by Mark and Julie Filler of Highland Park following the tragic loss of their 23-year-old son to opioids, played a crucial role in addressing this crisis. Their foundation’s initial $40,000 donation, combined with a matching grant challenge of up to $25,000, made a significant impact. The foundation successfully matched the fire district’s $3,750 contribution, and additional support has poured in, including a $1,000 donation from Compass Health of Northbrook and $1,800 from the Vernon Hills Police Department. They’ve even set up a text-line donation service where people can contribute any amount by texting "Hero23" to 41444.
This story is a testament to how communities can come together to address pressing public health issues, and it highlights the importance of accessible tools like Narcan in combating the opioid epidemic.