Despite a 41 percent drop in opioid overdoses in Palm Beach County last year, it still has the third highest overdose mortality rate among all Florida counties. Now a retired firefighter is giving out free doses of an opioid antagonist naloxone, often sold under the brand name Narcan.
Luis Garcia retired from Boynton Beach Fire Rescue after over 20 years on the job and now he’s devoting his time and money to educating people on a way to help people who have overdosed. He will have a free educational event and Narcan giveaway on Saturday, July 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Crossroads Club, 1700 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445.
Garcia said he has visited five states over 22 months, offered 106 two-hour classes, donated 2,800 sprays to attendees and saved 122 lives.