Goldsboro, NC –- (May 15, 2025) — In response to the ongoing opioid and overdose crisis impacting communities across North Carolina, Councilwoman Matthews and local advocacy group Recovery Together are partnering to host a Harm Reduction and Narcan Training Event for District Four residents.
The event will take place on May 20, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the W.A. Foster Recreation Center, located at 1012 South John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
Organizers emphasize that the overdose crisis is not a distant issue—it’s a daily reality. While final statistics are still pending, it is estimated that 3,025 North Carolinians died of overdose in 2024, averaging eight lives lost each day. These deaths often occur suddenly, without warning, and in many cases without access to life-saving interventions like Narcan (naloxone).
“This is about empowerment, not shame. This is about community, not judgment. This is about being ready and being the help someone may need,” said Councilwoman Matthews in a statement promoting the event.
The training session will provide participants with critical knowledge, including how to:
- Recognize the signs of an overdose
- Administer Narcan safely
- Access local support and recovery resources
The event is free and open to the public, with a special call to parents, educators, coaches, neighbors, and anyone seeking to be better prepared in a crisis.
“Overdose doesn’t have a ‘type.’ It can happen in any home, any neighborhood, to anyone,” the event announcement reads. “You could save a life just by knowing what to do.”
For more information, contact Colleen Kosinski at (252) 268-4579 or via email at [email protected].
