One of WV's overdose solutions becomes 50-state event, New York joins Save A Life Day

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY (09/24/2025) (readMedia)-- Joining this year's national Save a Life Day programming on Thursday, September 25th, Phoenix House NY & LI will host a Save a Life Day event at Branches Long Island – a social service organization located at 588 Middle Country Rd, Middle Island, 11953. Participants can receive free Narcan training, Narcan kits and Save a Life Day giveaways from the Phoenix House STOP OD staff, as well as needed pantry supplies, information and resources provided by Branches LI.

After ranking highest in overdose rates for years, West Virginia recently reported a 42% decline in overdose fatalities during 2024. A grassroots initiative, Save A Life Day, may have contributed to this decline. Now, West Virginians have invited the entire country to be part of this life-saving anti-stigma movement.

View photos from last year's Save a Life Day.

On September 25, 2025, all 50 states will be hosting free naloxone events for Save a Life Day for the first time – with over 500 events already covering the map. A list of participating states and counties can be found at www.soarwv.org/save.

Naloxone, more well known by one of its brand names, Narcan, is an easy-to-use nasal spray that works to reverse opioid overdoses. Since it was approved by the FDA over 50 years ago, this formerly prescription-only medication became an over-the-counter medication in 2023.

That same year, overdose fatality rates began to drop nationwide. By 2024, the CDC reported an almost 27% decline in fatalities across the nation. Although many factors contributed, naloxone access is a key piece of the puzzle.

"The work that Save A Life Day organizers do every day: harm reduction, prevention, substance use treatment, recovery, housing, mutual aid, community outreach, and healthcare... These are all integral pieces of the puzzle too. Save a Life Day is about celebrating where the real change happens every other day of the year," said Caroline Wilson, Save A Life Day Coordinator for the nonprofit SOAR, WV.

More than just a one-day event, Save A Life Day promotes year-round low-barrier naloxone access by providing tools that communities can use year round. This year, 55 free naloxone vending boxes, sponsored by CareSource, are currently being shipped to Save a Life Day organizers across the country. Most are destined for high-traffic outdoor locations where people will be able to access the antidote for free, 24/7. "Whether the numbers go up or down, we are going to keep pushing for widespread naloxone access until we get to overdose zero," said Sarah Stone, SOAR's other Co-Director.

"Phoenix House NY & LI is excited to lead this Save a Life Day event to provide opioid overdose prevention education and lifesaving Narcan kits with training to Suffolk County residents. This event continues the work we are doing to highlight preventable overdose deaths through our STOP OD program - a public health outreach and training program funded by the Suffolk County Legislature's Opioid Task Force - bringing these resources to Main Streets across the county, to and through our community partnerships and coalitions," said Shaun Willis, Director of Recovery Services and Community Outreach, Phoenix House Brooklyn Community Recovery Center.

"Branches Long Island is a local nonprofit that serves families all across Long Island. For many in our community, Branches is more than just a food pantry but akin to family. Day in and day out, we provide blessing boxes filled with food, deliver to those who are homebound, and lead community giveaways to ensure families have what they need to thrive including school supplies, holiday help, and other basic necessities. At this critical time where thousands more New Yorkers risk losing healthcare, we are especially proud to host this year's Save a Life programming and partner with Phoenix House to equip Suffolk County residents with overdose prevention education and lifesaving resources," said Robin Davis, Center Staff Member, Branches Long Island.

Since 2021, SOAR, WV has been coordinating this event, growing it from a two-county pilot in West Virginia, to a fully national day of action in 2025. "It feels special, and extra meaningful that Save a Life Day started right here in the heart of the nation's overdose crisis, and continues to be tended by it. People who've faced so much loss have a drive for giving back that can't be measured," noted Joe Solomon, SOAR WV's Co-Director. "Wherever you are – if you've been touched by this crisis: you've got something vital to share."

In Suffolk County, Phoenix House's STOP OD program has trained over 2,300 business owners and community members in the last 20 months through partnerships with community organizations and other public service agencies. STOP OD's outreach team has provided training for businesses and business organizations like Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with local library systems, for public school communities, and with community organizations such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as Long Island Cares.

Thanks to additional sponsors, each participating county will also be shipped several emergency naloxone wall boxes, which can be placed on any wall, like an AED or first aid kit. The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute will also be sending ONEbox™ emergency opioid overdose reversal kits to Save a Life Day Organizers.

Challenging stigma and changing hearts and minds is also a major mission of the day, according to Stone. "Save a Life Day is about connection. It's about building trust, having real conversations, and showing up for each other. If one life is saved, all the effort is worth it," she shares. Most Save A Life Day events are powered by dozens of volunteers that care deeply about this issue: people in recovery, people who have lost loved ones, and others who have seen the impact in their communities.

Naloxone pick-up sites often include churches, clinics, libraries, colleges, recovery homes, gas stations, fire departments, groceries, parks, and local dollar stores. According to Wilson, "A number of counties also implement outreach teams to distribute naloxone. We've also seen awareness walks, service offerings, resource fairs, and this year there will even be an ATV ride in Alabama! This year's theme is 'Mutual Aid Saves Lives,' and I've heard from organizers many excellent plans to incorporate ways to help one another into their events."

Major sponsors of the day include: CareSource, Healing Appalachia, Matthew Perry Foundation, and the Drug Intervention Institute & ONEbox™. A full list of sponsors can be found at: www.soarwv.org/save.

Across the country, organizers plan to distribute over 100,000 naloxone doses throughout the day. Each location is powered by local volunteers who attended training to be able to participate. People who use drugs, their family members and friends, community members and anyone who wants to be prepared to save a life are welcome to get trained on September 25, 2025. The training takes just 5-10 minutes and Suffolk County residents can show up anytime from 10:30am - 2:30pm at Branches Long Island. All attendees will receive one naloxone kit, an in-person training, and information about local resources.

About Phoenix House: For nearly 60 years, Phoenix House New York and Long Island has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Born as a model for integrated substance use treatment, Phoenix House has grown into a treatment network that offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical services, medication for addiction treatment, health and wellness goals, and vocational and educational support.

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