AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/narcan/)
State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford has introduced legislation that would allow people to inject illegal drugs under supervision. He hopes lawmakers will vote on the proposal later this year.
Narcan – a medicine that can reverse an overdose – doesn’t work with xylazine, making deadly overdoses more likely, local health officials say. The Cook County medical examiner’s office found 236 xylazie-related deaths over the course of five years, with the numbers increasing each year.
A free information session will be held on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. April 27. A representative from the Chicago Department of Public Health will explain how Narcan can be used to reverse an overdose.
Later this month, patrons at 14 branches across the city will be able to get a free Narcan kit. The Austin locations are at 5615 W. Race Ave., 5724 W. North Ave. and 4856 W. Chicago Ave.
West Side residents can take action to protect their friends, family and neighbors from this sweeping problem that’s more deadly than gun violence and motor accidents.