Photo courtesy Family Services of Warren County The P.H.O.E.N.I.X. Project team, from left, Recovery Specialists Noah Sharp and Sean Quiqley, and Director of Substance Abuse Services Andrew Cauley, while distributing naloxone and drug test strips at local bars.

Family Services of Warren County wants to get overdose death prevention tools into the hands of as many people as possible.

As part of its P.H.O.E.N.I.X Project, which stands for harm reduction, outreach and education in a nonjudgmental individualized experience, the organization is working to distribute naloxone and drug testing strips as widely as possible to help prevent and halt overdoses.

According to Director of Substance Abuse Services Andrew Cauley, the program has distributed approximately 600 boxes of naloxone formulations and hundreds of strips capable of testing for drugs like fentanyl and xylazine in the last five months.

Naloxone, the active ingredient in formulas such as Narcan and Kloxxado, is an opioid antagonist that can block the effects of drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.

“We’re hearing about many overdoses in the community,” Cauley said. “We’re getting some intervention tools in the community.”

Cauley noted fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which can cause overdoses in very minimal doses, is widespread. He said

“Most of the drug supply is polluted,” he said. “It’s just easier to synthesize than bringing in organic opioids such as heroin.”

And it’s not just the supply of opioids being contaminated. According to Cauley, 43 percent of stimulant overdoses involve fentanyl.

“Now it’s polluting the stimulant supply,” he said, noting it’s finding its way into drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. “People are using recreationally and they just have no tolerance to opiates and they’re overdosing as well, even though they might not actually have a substance abuse disorder.”

Through P.H.O.E.N.I.X, Family Services is distributing Naloxone at outreach events, at area bars and businesses and directly into the hands of the public, free of charge.

“It isn’t the addict that necessarily needs Narcan, because they can’t necessarily use it on themselves,” Executive Director Kim Holt said. “It needs to be in the hands of as many people as possible. People need to keep it in their glove boxes, in their first aid kits, because even if you don’t think you know anyone (with a substance abuse disorder) you can’t be sure. Almost everyone has someone they know whether they realize it or not.”

So far, the organization can confirm the distribution has prevented two overdose deaths.

“People ask, ‘Why would you save them?… It’s their choice’,” Holt said.

“We watch people change every day,” Cauley added. “But they have to live long enough to see the need for change. It also benefits the entire community. This crisis is expensive for everyone. The entire community pays for it.”

While the local effort continues, a recent focus on distribution of tools to prevent and halt overdoses is allowing the program to expand. Family Services is currently working to become a registered Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program entity. Through the state POPP program, organizations can receive free test strips and naloxone formulations for distribution. Recognized POPP entities can act as the main local point of contact for distribution of supplies.

Cauley noted that the supplies through the state program are not paid for with tax dollars., but come from funds received from opioid settlements, such as those with pharmaceutical companies.

“The people who contributed to the opioid epidemic,” he noted.

Family Services invited anyone who wants to get involved with distribution or receive supplies themselves to contact the organization at 814-723-1330.

“Anyone in the community who wants to get involved is welcome to,” Cauley said.

Holt noted staff members are also available to talk with families of those struggling with substance abuse disorders.

“If there’s a family member who wants to meet with us, a member of our staff would be happy to meet for free,” she said.