The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Public Health News

Opioid overdose prevention…The Oak Park Public Health Department is celebrating one year of its Opioid Overdose Prevention project, an initiative that aims to make the life-saving medication Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) freely available to the community. One way to access free Narcan in Oak Park is via the project’s seven boxes around the Village, most of which are accessible 24 hours a day. Over the course of the past year, community members have taken more than 700 opioid overdose prevention pouches from the boxes, totaling more than 1,400 doses of Narcan. Public Health Department staff have also hosted trainings for community groups and organizations that focus on how to administer Narcan and the principles of harm reduction. Including trainings and community events, the project has distributed more than 950 kits since its launch. As the project heads into its second year, public health staff encourage individuals, organizations or businesses interested in a training or obtaining free Narcan to contact 708.358.5480 or health@oak-park.us. More information about the project, including a map of where to obtain free Narcan, is available on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/overdoseprevention

Blood donations needed…The U.S. is experiencing a national blood shortage and facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Oak Park Public Health Department is encouraging as many Oak Parkers as possible to give blood. Blood donations are needed now to alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed. One donation can save up to three lives. The Public Health Department along with other Village of Oak Park partners will be hosting blood donation events thought the summer and fall. Check for upcoming dates on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/blood-drive. Individuals willing to donate blood can also find nearby donation sites and dates by visiting the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/give-blood