MICHIGAN – For the fifth consecutive year, Mitchell’s Hope will host an event for International Overdose Awareness Day, including a training on how to use Naloxone. The event, including a resource tent and candlelight vigil, takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fowlerville Mission House at 224 S. Church Street.

Mitchell’s Hope, founded by Michele Wagner, is an organization that advocates for more and more accessible drug treatment and to help others learn about the signs of overdose and how to prevent it.  Wagner’s son Mitchell died of a heroin overdose in 2014.

In addition to advocating for changes in the laws and more treatment, as well as empowering people to have their own voice, Wagner wants more to be done.

She contacted Botvin LifeSkills Training in an effort to have the program taught in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms in Livingston County.

The program is an evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program. Studies testing the program’s effectiveness have shown it can reduce the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use by as much as 80% and reduce multiple drug use by up to 66%.

However, Wagner said none of the school districts in the county she’s talked to have entertained the idea of implementing it.

Read full article: At war- Families who lost children to overdose helping others