Health Department to Participate in Save a Life Day

FREDERICK, MD — The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) is set to participate in “Save a Life Day,” offering Narcan/Naloxone training across five locations in the county on September 24, 2026. This initiative, organized in partnership with Frederick Housing and Human Services, Mega Mart, and Thurmont Kountry Kitchen, aims to equip community members with the skills to respond to opioid overdoses.

The training sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Frederick Housing and Human Services, 100 South Market Street, Frederick, MD, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Frederick County Health Department, Golden Mile Office, 1100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. **Spanish translation available
• Frederick County Health Department, Street Safe Program, 490C Prospect Blvd., Frederick, MD, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Mega Mart, 1 Western Drive, Frederick, MD, 5-7 p.m. **Spanish translation available
• Thurmont Kountry Kitchen, 17 Water Street, Thurmont, MD 12-2 p.m.

Participants will be provided with a naloxone kit, in-person training, and information about local resources. The training, which takes approximately 5-10 minutes, is open to anyone who wants to learn how to save a life, including individuals who use drugs and their family members.

Naloxone, widely known by its brand name Narcan, is a nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. Approved for over-the-counter sales in 2023, the medication is now more accessible to the public. Jessica Ellis, FCHD’s Risk Reduction & Diversion Program Manager, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it empowers community members to assist those in need without judgment.

In the past year, FCHD’s Street Safe Program has trained over 2,300 individuals on overdose response and distributed more than 7,200 doses of naloxone. The county’s efforts are part of a larger nationwide initiative, with over 900 Save a Life Day events planned across all 50 states. More information about these events can be found at SaveALife.Day.