Libigee founder urges wider Narcan distribution, demonstrates use and describes vending-machine program

Cynthia Persley, founder of the Libigee Foundation, told the City of Dallas Commission on Disabilities on Feb. 25 that her nonprofit is training communities and distributing free naloxone (Narcan) to reduce fentanyl deaths.

Persley described Libigee’s activities—training school staff, bar employees and community groups, distributing free nasal naloxone and installing refurbished vending machines across Dallas that make Narcan available in public venues. “Everything we do is free,” Persley said. “We have vending machines which supplies free Narcan within the Dallas community.”

Persley warned that illicit fentanyl is increasingly mixed into other drugs, including counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana. She outlined overdose signs—“constricted pinpoint pupils, slow choking breathing, limp body, and pale blue or cold skin”—and demonstrated the simple nasal spray administration she summarized as “lay, spray, stay.” She told the commission that each Narcan box Libigee distributes contains two doses and urged bystanders to call 911 and stay with the person after administering naloxone.

Persley also described a pilot that placed Narcan in bars and restaurants, and the group’s plan to launch 30 refurbished vending machines painted by local artists. She said Libigee estimates it has helped save at least a dozen lives and that it will include a ZIP-code-based addiction resource link on its outreach materials to help people find treatment services quickly.

Commissioners asked about resources for people with disabilities and recovery; Persley said she would share a new website that indexes regional addiction services by ZIP code and that Libigee refers people to local partners for care. The commission thanked Persley and discussed liability and training concerns, including Good Samaritan protections for bystanders.

No formal action was taken.