Free Narcan, other resources to prevent overdoses to be offered at Knoxville event

Every day in Tennessee, three people die from an opioid-related overdose, according to Vanderbilt Medical Center. Health care professionals, and the state of Tennessee , have encouraged people to carry Naloxone (known as Narcan), a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose from opioids.

A Knoxville event hosted just before International Overdose Awareness Day will offer people a chance to receive free Narcan and other harm-reduction supplies to have on hand.

Metro Drug Coalition, a Knoxville nonprofit, is recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day with an event on Aug. 30 to remember those lost to overdose, to celebrate life and to educate the community. The event is free and open to the public.

Speakers and a memorial will be featured, as well as free rapid HIV/Hep-C testing and haircuts available for attendees.

More than 100 vendors are expected, from organizations such as the McNabb Center, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and Facing Fentanyl.

Other resources and support: Knoxville's unique recovery center The Gateway offers coffee and community

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted, with proceeds going toward Metro Drug Coalition’s Recovery Housing Support Fund, which supports individuals who aren't able to pay the initial fee to enter a safe place during their recovery process.

The event will be 2-7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Knoxville Convention Center. International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31.

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Free Narcan, other resources to prevent overdoses to be offered at Knoxville event