Stop the Judgement Project distributed nearly 100 kits containing the drug Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, during a Nov. 25 event at Generoasta Coffee and Cafe in Marshall Township.
Those attending were also trained free of charge to spot the signs of an overdose and how to administer the life-saving drug.
Stop the Judgement Project was created by Sherry Jo Matt and her husband, Tom Bott, of Franklin Park, after their daughter Siena Bott died from fentanyl poisoning at age 21 in 2020.
Sienna suffered from mental health issues as a young teenager and addiction and didn’t seek intensive inpatient drug rehabilitation due to fear of being judged by family and friends.
An order issued Nov. 15 by the state Department of Health issued seeks to ensure that Pennsylvania residents at risk of an opioid-related overdose or who are family members, friends or people in a position to help an at-risk person are able to obtain the anti-overdose drug naloxone without an individual prescription.
Narcan is a brand name of that drug.
The health department’s order recommends that people learn how to administer the drug before having to use it.
Guests at the event also were treated to music by local musician Craig Veltri, according to Matt.
Matt said the organization is looking to host another distribution event. Visit stopthejudgment.org for more information.
