Group of moms pass out NARCAN for International Overdose Awareness Day

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — For International Overdose Awareness Day, one local group of mothers is raising awareness to try and prevent other families from the same pain they have dealt with.

The group of moms handed out NARCAN along East M.L.K Jr. Boulevard. NARCAN is a brand of medication called Naloxone, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses.

They passed each box out in hopes of saving a life.

“I feel like I’m giving back and giving them a heads up and knowledge, something I didn’t have before, something that I didn’t know about,” said Tammy Plakstis, who lost her son in 2020.

These mothers all lost their children, and other loved ones, to fentanyl.

“I lost my bonus daughter, Janelle, back in January of ’23, and my brother, Frederick, in October of ’23,” said Rosalyn Ricketts.

“I sometimes go in the bathroom, I’ll walk out, and people won’t even know that I was crying, but that’s the way grief goes. I just want to help others,” Plakstis said.

Through Rachel’s Angels, a billboard has been put up along East M.L.K Jr. Boulevard in Tampa— and they are putting up billboards in other locations.

“It’s like a plane crash every single day and it’s like people don’t really understand,” Plakstis said. “They’re like ‘Fentanyl, what is fentanyl, I don’t know what that is, what is NARCAN?’ They have no idea and to be honest, I didn’t know what it was either until it happened to me.”

They are turning their pain into purpose and trying to educate the community. Some are even starting their own non-profits, like Letz Grieve Together.

“One in five people have heard of NARCAN, you know. I think this epidemic is serious, but it’s not getting the attention that it needs,” Ricketts said.

If you see someone overdosing and have NARCAN with you, these moms said there are a few steps you should take.

“There will be some signs: unconscious, unresponsive, blue lips. You take the NARCAN, and you put it in their nose and then call 911,” Ricketts said.

With every box of NARCAN they pass out, they feel they can save another family from the same fate.

The group will be holding a rally on Sept. 21 at 10:00 a.m., along East M.L.K Jr. Boulevard.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or have lost someone to fentanyl, visit these local resources:

• Letz Grieve Together
• Fentanyl Awareness Coalition
• Picking Up the Pieces
• Hernando Community Coalition

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