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Overdose prevention training at Winchester Walmart scheduled for Friday

Clark County Health Department

In the last six weeks, 13 people have died of overdoses in Clark County. That’s compared to 17 fatal overdoses in all of 2022. Friday from noon to 6 p.m., the Clark County Health Department will hold an event in the Winchester Walmart parking lot that’s designed to save lives. Sheila Brown, who’s in recovery herself, is one of the organizers.

“They will be doing some Hep C and HIV testing, Naloxone distribution and training. We'll also have some peer support out there from the RCC, you know, to give them some resources other than that.”

R-C-C is Clark County’s Recovery Community Center. Lindsay Horseman, the director of recovery services, says fentanyl is suspected in many of the 17 overdoses, but xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer, may be a factor, too. She said she hopes Friday’s clinic will offer a bit of hope for those who are, like she is, in recovery.

“It's a very tragic set of circumstances. But overdose death is preventable, and recovery as possible, right? That is the message that I want to get out, is that we can stop this now.”

Horseman said the clinic is confidential and people struggling with substance abuse don’t have to worry about being arrested or trailed by law enforcement on their way home.

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John McGary is a Lexington native and Navy veteran with three decades of radio, television and newspaper experience.
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