Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen held a free naloxone distribution event at the Lebanon County State Health Center. The event focused on getting the life-saving overdose reversal medication into more communities across Pennsylvania, particularly those in rural counties.
The event was held in conjunction with Save a Life Day – a national day of action that promotes widespread naloxone access and the importance of getting and knowing how to use the medication. Save A Life Day works to promote year-round low-barrier naloxone access and ongoing anti-stigma work.
“Naloxone has one purpose and that’s to save lives. Knowing where to get it, when to use it, and how to use it can make all the difference. At DDAP and our partners at DOH, we want every Pennsylvanian to know that we are committed to making sure they have the tools they need to save a life,” said DDAP Secretary Davis-Jones.
More than 230 locations across the entire Commonwealth serve as 2026 Save a Life Day distribution locations. They include 10 Pennsylvania State Health Centers in rural counties, which are priority locations to increase access to naloxone, like Beaver, Bedford, Pike, Venango, and Wyoming counties. Naloxone for the health centers’ efforts was supplied and funded through DDAP’s Overdose Prevention Program.
In addition to today’s event, naloxone and referrals to other resources and assistance are routinely available for free at all 59 state health centers across the Commonwealth.
“The Department of Health is proud to stand with our sister agency to recognize and support Save a Life Day. Today and every day, our 59 State Health Centers provide free naloxone and information on how to use it and where to get help for substance use when ready — including in rural communities across the Commonwealth,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Bogen. “This year, ten of our state health centers are participating in this meaningful event to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with substance use disorder — so everyone can get the care they need with kindness and without judgement.”
