Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone)

What is Project DAWN?

Project DAWN is a community-based overdose education and naloxone distribution program. Project DAWN participants receive training on:

• Recognizing the signs and symptoms of overdose
• Distinguishing between different types of overdose
• Performing rescue breathing
• Calling emergency medical services
• Administering intranasal Naloxone

Project DAWN Sites

List of Project DAWN sites in Ohio

Map of Project DAWN sites and naloxone access locations

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. Naloxone has been used safely by emergency medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only this one critical function: to reverse the effects of opioids in order to prevent overdose death. Naloxone has no potential for abuse.

If naloxone is given to a person who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it is harmless. If naloxone is administered to a person who is dependent on opioids, it will produce withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal, although uncomfortable, is not life-threatening.

Naloxone does not reverse overdoses that are caused by non-opioid drugs, such as cocaine, benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanex, Klonopin and Valium), methamphetamines or alcohol.

Ohio Department of Health Resources

Guidance on billing for naloxone

Implementing a Community Take-Home Naloxone Distribution Program for Lay Responders: A Statewide Toolkit for Ohio 

Project DAWN brochure (English)

Project DAWN brochure (Spanish)

Project DAWN Training Video - (MP4 format) (YouTube)