OVERDOSE DEATH RATES PROMPT LAUNCH OF ‘YOU CAN SAVE LIVES’ CAMPAIGN, EXPANDING VISIBILITY AND LIFE-SAVING ACCESS IN URBAN AREA

Campaign Targets Seven U.S. Cities – Louisville, KY; Durham, NC; Milwaukee, WI; Newark, NJ; Albuquerque, NM; Philadelphia, PA; and Detroit, MI NEW YORK, NY – In a drive to curb a decade-long rise in drug overdose deaths in Black populations, a “You Have the Power to Save Lives” campaign launched in seven U.S. cities today urging community leaders to collaborate with public, civic, clergy, and other local influencers to promote access to the lifesaving, overdose-reversing medication in their neighborhoods. The core message and call to action is for Black leaders and communities to talk about and carry naloxone, taking power into their own hands to save a life. A ZOOM press conference and rally was held today with media and community, civic, and government leaders from the target cities. A video of the press conference will be available after the event HERE. The campaign also released a report consolidating recent evidence that illustrates the need for urgent action to save lives, finding: * Overdose is the leading cause of preventable death for Black adults in the United States, surpassing gun violence and car crashes. In many cities, older Black men are four times more likely to die of overdose than...