Avenues Recovery, an addiction rehab in Virginia, would like to spread the word about an initiative that began in two West Virginia counties and has now grown into a nationwide life-saving event. On September 26, the annual "Save a Life Day" naloxone distribution event will span more than 30 states, providing communities with the opioid overdose antidote in hopes of reducing overdose deaths. What started as a local response to the opioid crisis has become a major grassroots effort.
Joe Solomon, co-director of the West Virginia overdose prevention group SOAR WV, is enthusiastic not only about the event but also about what happens afterward. “So many people get hooked on saving lives, and they ask, ‘What’s next?’ They get involved in harm reduction, start street outreach teams, and advocate for their communities. Save a Life Day is about second chances—not just for individuals, but for entire communities,” Solomon said.
The West Virginia Watch News Site reported that the event, first held in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, was created in response to the surge in overdose deaths. Volunteers distributed naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, in two counties. Now, in 2024, Save a Life Day has expanded to include participation from 343 counties across 32 states. Last year, more than 45,000 doses of naloxone were distributed throughout Appalachia. This year, event coordinator Caroline Wilson hopes to distribute 100,000 doses.
“It’s going to be huge, hopefully,” Wilson said. “This work is personal for me, as someone in recovery. We all want to help people, whether they’re like us or not.”
With grant funding, organizers are rolling out new ways to make naloxone more accessible. This year, 60 naloxone vending boxes will be distributed across a dozen West Virginia counties and at least one county in every participating state. Resembling newspaper stands, these boxes offer naloxone and other items, such as drug testing strips, for people to access discreetly.
Sarah Stone, board president of SOAR, explained that the vending boxes are designed to eliminate any sense of shame that may prevent people from seeking help. “What makes these boxes unique is that there’s nobody standing there asking questions. If someone feels shame about their drug use, they can still access help without judgment,” she said.
Another innovative approach is the use of “wall boxes,” repurposed yellow pencil boxes that now serve as emergency naloxone kits. These boxes, found at Target and converted for harm reduction use, are equipped with CPR masks and simple instructions on how to administer the antidote. The idea was inspired by other harm reduction efforts, like Project Mayday. Over 400 wall boxes will be distributed in Kanawha County alone.
In addition to providing naloxone, Save a Life Day aims to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and harm reduction. Wilson has noticed that people’s attitudes toward naloxone have shifted over the years. “I can see it in people’s reactions when I hand them naloxone. It’s more accepted now, and more people—whether or not they’re part of the recovery community—see it as something valuable. It’s a small way they can help.”
Though West Virginia still has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country, Save a Life Day brings a glimmer of hope. In 2023, drug overdose deaths in the state were down nearly 2% compared to 2022, though the rate remains double the national average. Nationally, overdose deaths decreased by about 3% last year.
For Solomon, Save a Life Day is about more than distributing naloxone; it’s about igniting a movement. He hopes the event will inspire more people to advocate for expanded harm reduction services, especially in areas like Charleston, where access to clean syringes has been restricted. “Save a Life Day is just the beginning,” Solomon said. “Once people save lives, they want to keep going. And the best way to keep saving lives in places like Kanawha County is to advocate for more harm reduction services.”
West Virginia, once known as America’s "overdose capital," is now leading the charge in overdose prevention, offering hope to communities nationwide. Save a Life Day shows how grassroots efforts can make a difference, with every naloxone kit providing the chance to save a life.
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