63º

Detroit survivors share stories, importance of Narcan

DETROIT – Opioid overdose survivors shared their stories and the importance of Narcan.

Narcan is the overdose reversal antidote that everyday people can carry and learn to use.

“I was in a van one time and I found a chunk that I thought was methamphetamine but it wasn’t and I licked it to taste it and it was fentanyl,” Larry Emery said. “So, I fell out (of the car) in the Walmart (parking lot) and they had a Narcan and it brought me back.”

Kyle Rose shared his experience with Narcan.

“They saved my life with some Narcan and it took three of the sprays just to bring me back,” Rose said.

Lashon Battle has been clean for nearly thirty years and can only imagine the lives Narcan would have saved had it been around in the 90s.

“I’ve seen a lot of people overdose and unfortunately they didn’t make it,” Battle said. “Maybe if we would have had Narcan a lot sooner we could have done something.”

Narcan vending machines are located around Wayne County.

---> Go 4 It: Learn how you can prevent overdose deaths at Sept. 24 event in Taylor


About the Author

Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.

Recommended Videos