Doses of Narcan will be given away on a first come, first served basis Aug. 31 in the city of Marquette. No questions will be asked of the people who request the drug. (AP photo)

MARQUETTE — Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a life-saving drug that reverses opioid overdose.

Narcan is a form of harm reduction, which is a public health strategy to reduce the harm that drugs have on our community.

Per conversation with law enforcement, one of the first cases of Narcan use in Michigan was on a child who had accidentally ingested opioids.

Anyone with an opioid prescription should keep Narcan on hand and make sure their friends and family know the signs of an overdose.

“Narcan can be a controversial topic, but it really shouldn’t be,” said Gery Shelafoe, Certified Prevention Consultant and CTC coach at NorthCare Network, in a press release. “Some people see having Narcan available as a way to enable drug users, but individuals using drugs are people that for whatever reason now have an addiction. Our goal is to keep them safe until hopefully one day they are ready for treatment and recovery.

“Narcan has also been used to revive people who accidentally overdose on their pain medication. Imagine grandma who forgot she took her dose and taking another too soon,” she said. “I know someone who keeps Narcan in the house because her boyfriend works in the medical field and there could be residue of fentanyl on his clothes that triggers an overdose. There are many reasons that Narcan should be widely available.”

Marquette County Cares will be distributing Narcan via drive through from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Berry Events Center’s parking lot, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette.

There is a limited number of doses which will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Volunteers will be wearing masks and those seeking Narcan should not leave their cars. You do not have to give your name or any identifying information to receive Narcan.

This event is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MC2 is part of U.P. Coalition Network, the umbrella organization of all 14 CTCs serving the Upper Peninsula.

Narcan distribution is provided in partnership with New Points, Northern Michigan University and Beyond the Save (www.BeyondtheSave.org).

Learn more about Narcan Day in other counties by visiting www.UPCNetwork.org/coalitions.