Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com: The availability of Narcan kits that police officers carry to reverse opioid overdoses was dangerously low, according to the Lake County Health Department. However, a local foundation and a fire protection district stepped in to help fill the gap. New Narcan kits being purchased are nasal spray versions, which advocates say are easier to use and were fast-tracked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These kits offer a more efficient way to administer life-saving medication during emergencies. “We could have been in serious trouble if it wasn’t for the Filler Foundation of Highland Park and the Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District,†said Susan McKnight, coordinator for the county’s substance-abuse program. “Their support made all the difference.†Phillip DeRuntz, a trustee with the fire district, shared that at a recent meeting of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, he learned that the health department had only 50 kits left. Then Susan Guggenheim of the Filler Foundation introduced a matching grant program, offering up to $25,000 in funding for additional kits. McKnight explained that the new kits, provided by Adapt Pharmaceutical, contain two doses per unit and don't require assembly like older models. They can be used in just one nostril, unlike other versions that require splitting the dose between both nostrils. This makes them more user-friendly and effective in urgent situations. For the past two years, the health department has sourced 3,000 Narcan kits annually from Virginia-based company Kaleo for distribution to about 2,000 law enforcement officers in Lake County. But due to a shortage this year, they were only able to provide 1,000 injectable kits, which are less convenient and slower to use in emergencies. Susan Guggenheim, who represents the Filler Foundation, shared the personal story behind the organization. The foundation was founded by Mark and Julie Filler after their 23-year-old son died of an opioid overdose. He had initially been revived by paramedics after a relapse but later succumbed to addiction. “This was an area where we could make an immediate impact and save lives,†Guggenheim said. The foundation donated $40,000 and launched a matching grant challenge of up to $25,000. They matched the fire district’s $3,750 contribution and received additional donations, including $1,000 from Compass Health of Northbrook and $1,800 from the Vernon Hills Police Department. To further support the cause, the foundation now offers a text-line donation option. Individuals can contribute any amount by texting “Hero23†to 41444. This initiative aims to ensure that every officer is equipped with the latest and most effective tools to save lives in the face of the opioid crisis. Horizontal Bonding Machine,Polyethylene Foam Mattress Bonding Machine,Epe Foam Bonding Machine,Epe Baby Play Mat Bonding Machine,Epe Pe Foam Thickening Machine Laizhou Jinlida Machinery Co.,Ltd , https://www.jldepe.com