AIDS Project RI Staff Trained on Narcan

Jonathan Goyer, of Project Weber (www.projectweber.org/), trained AIDS Project RI staff on how to administer Narcan, used to reverse the effects of overdoses of heroin and other opioids.  The training took place at the AIDS Project RI office at 9 Pleasant Street, Providence on Thursday morning (July 16, 2015).

Project Weber is a non-profit that works with male sex workers on health issues.

Mr. Goyer grew up in East Providence and began using drugs at an early age.  He developed an expensive drug habit and became a sex worker to pay for it.  He also experienced long-term homelessness.  He overdosed in June of 2013, and was saved by Narcan. After several stints in rehabilitation facilities, he has experienced long-term sobriety, holds a job, and does outreach for Project Weber as a recovery specialist.

The Rhode Island Department of Health reports that drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Rhode Island. http://www.health.ri.gov/healthrisks/drugoverdose/

The Health Department’s updated page regarding drug overdoses in Rhode Island reports there were 239 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2014.  Through May of 2015 there were 85. http://www.health.ri.gov/data/drugoverdoses/

AIDS Project RI, a division of Family Service of RI, provides advocacy, testing and comprehensive services for people living with HIV/AIDS.  More information is available at www.aidsprojectri.org