DOH-Monroe, Guidance/Care Center, and Monroe County Coalition Distribute Free Narcan Kits During Revive Awareness Day

Monroe County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe), in partnership with Guidance/Care Center and the Monroe County Coalition, distributed 138 free Narcan kits to residents during the Annual Revive Awareness Day events held on Friday, June 5. The countywide effort provided free naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention education, and easy-access pickup locations from Key West to Tavernier.

Revive Awareness Day is part of DOH-Monroe’s ongoing efforts to reduce opioid-related fatalities by increasing community access to naloxone, a safe, easy-to-administer medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered promptly. Distribution sites included St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fausto’s Food Palace, and Winn-Dixie stores in Key West, Big Pine Key, Marathon, and Tavernier.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons Report, fentanyl was identified as the cause of 10 deaths in Monroe County in 2024.

In addition to naloxone kits, the Monroe County Coalition distributed Deterra® medication disposal bags, which help residents safely dispose of unused medications and reduce the risk of misuse. Guidance/Care Center also provided CPR face shields (CPR masks) to encourage emergency preparedness and support lifesaving efforts.

Despite severe weather and record-breaking rainfall in the Lower Keys on the day of the events, DOH-Monroe reports that community participation remained strong.

“Revive Awareness Day was a success because of the incredible collaboration among our community partners,” said Kaitlin Bailey, community health liaison for DOH-Monroe. “We are especially grateful to the 22 volunteers and participants from Guidance/Care Center, the Monroe County Coalition, and Rural Health Network Monroe County, as well as our volunteers, nurses, site leads, and community partners whose teamwork made this event possible.”

Naloxone kits remain available year-round at DOH-Monroe and Guidance/Care Center locations. No registration is required, and kits are provided at no cost.