Clay County uses International Overdose Awareness Day to highlight opioid treatment program

Clay County Fire and Rescue distributed free Narcan and Deterra on Wednesday to honor International Overdose Awareness Day. The event included a presentation by Clay Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Glenn East and a remembrance vigil for those lost to overdose and addiction.

About 65 people attended the event to honor loved ones who have died from drug abuse, or to celebrate the progress of someone fighting against addiction, East said. Attendees also got to meet with around 10 different groups ranging from the Florida Department of Health, nonprofits and recovery foundations about their work against the opioid crisis.

East started his work with Clay County Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and has worked his way up since joining the department in 1990. He now works as the fire and rescue emergency management director and community paramedicine coordinator. The role is responsible for addressing issues in the community that citizens want to see changed, he said.