DeKALB – In an initiative to address the opioid crisis, Northwestern Medicine will be distributing Narcan nasal spray from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday. 

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, located at 2731 Sycamore Road, will be hosting the event in its Medical Record Building for DeKalb residents. The Medical Record Building is one driveway south of the main hospital. 

Narcan (naloxone) is a nasal spray used for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.  

“More than 75% of drug overdose deaths are related to opioids,” Sterling Elliott, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine said.

Elliott said Narcan reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be lifesaving when given to a person in crisis. 

The event is part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

The event encourages people to dispose of medications they have that could potentially be used in a harmful way.

“Studies show that many people who use opioids are first exposed to the prescription medications in the homes of family members or friends,” Elliott said.“If you throw unused medications in the trash, they can be retrieved and used, or illegally sold.  If you flush them, they can contaminate the water supply.”

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital will offer drive-up locations where community members can safely dispose of unused medications, according to a press release from Northwestern Medicine. 

Northwestern team members will also provide education about opioid overdose prevention. 

Northwestern Medicine will have eight drive up medication collection sites.