Community rallies for overdose awareness and prevention event

During a recent government meeting, members of the North Central Iowa Opioid Task Force gathered to discuss an upcoming event aimed at raising awareness about the opioid crisis. Denise Spider, a community volunteer from the Webster County Health Department, highlighted the significance of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed annually on August 31. This year, the local event will take place on August 29 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Greater Growth Alliance in Fort Dodge.

The event will feature a \"brown bag lunch and learn\" session where Spider will present training on the dangers of opioids and stimulants, emphasizing their lethal combination. Later that evening, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, attendees can participate in activities at the gazebo, including food trucks and various presentations. Spider also plans to provide a brief training on the use of Narcan, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and distribute Narcan kits to participants.

Spider shared her personal connection to the cause, revealing that she lost her 19-year-old son to an accidental overdose in 2016. She expressed the stigma surrounding addiction and the importance of community awareness, stating, \"It could happen to my family; it can happen to anyone.\" She encouraged community members to attend the event to hear stories of both recovery and loss, highlighting the profound impact of addiction on families and communities.