You can be a first responder like Gregory

SIX. That’s the number of lives Gregory Harrell has saved with naloxone—a medicine that reverses opioid overdose.

He’s not an EMT or a medical professional. He’s a Baltimore resident and like many of us, his life has been affected by the opioid crisis.

Gregory has struggled with heroin use for decades. He lost his job and his home. When he came to Health Care for the Homeless to get help in 2015, he realized that many of the important people in his life were also using.

“I’m on my way to stopping,” he says. A powerful step in Gregory’s journey toward recovery has been learning the part he can play to save others from overdose.

“Being able to use naloxone makes me feel like I have a purpose,” he says. “Now, when I see someone overdosing, I never hesitate to help.”

Gregory also gives others the tools they need to respond. “Especially if they’ve just overdosed, I’ll give them my extra kit—just in case they need it again,” he explains.

No matter who you are or what you’re going through, you can help our community respond to the opioid crisis. As Gregory reminds us, “We’re all human beings. People that use aren’t any different from you. Everyone deserves a chance to be treated with dignity and stay alive.”

Follow Gregory’s lead!

• You can get naloxone without a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you today.

• Learn how to use naloxone with this video.