Project red is an initiative from the alano club of portland dedicated to raising awareness around overdose prevention and increasing the availability and accessibility of overdose prevention supplies and trainings, with a focus on BARS, RESTAURANTS, STRIP CLUBS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, and community based organizations. We also work with artists, bands and promoters to coordinate harm reduction and overdose prevention activations at national tour stops.

Pearl Jam to Partner with Project RED and the Alano Club of Portland on Overdose Prevention Initiative for U.S. Tour Dates

ABOUT PROJECT RED

WHO WE ARE

Project RED was conceived and is managed by Ellen Wirshup, who began the program by distributing overdose supplies and educational materials, on foot, to anyone who faced barriers to access — with a focus on food and beverage establishments and workers, and community based organizations — before partnering with the Alano Club of Portland to develop and expand the program.

WHAT WE DO

  • Reduce barriers to access by Delivering cost-free overdose prevention supplies and educational materials to restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, community based organizations and individuals who need them.

  • Increase awareness and preparedness by administering Overdose prevention and awareness trainings to staff and community members.

  • Work with bands, artists, venues, businesses and community based organizations to provide narcan to those in need at large scale community events.

  • Respond to need among underserved communities with mobile services focused on education, training, and delivery of overdose prevention supplies.

  • Fentanyl is the leading cause of death in people ages 18-45

    In 2021 40,010 people died of fentanyl poisoning, the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45, and nearly double that of the second leading cause of death, motor vehicle accidents.

  • Three in five overdose deaths happen with a bystander present

    62.7% of all overdose deaths had documentation of at least one potential opportunity for prevention intervention. Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdose, and fentanyl test strips can identify the drug in pills and powders, which can prevent overdose.

  • More than 100,000 people die annually of drug overdose

    Provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate that there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5% from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the year before.

NOT EVERYONE NEEDS OVERDOSE PREVENTION

BUT ANYONE CAN PREVENT AN OVERDOSE


Despite these figures, Fentanyl test strips remain illegal in 28 states and narcan is not easily accessible, often requires a prescription, and is cost-prohibitive for many, especially those without health insurance. by removing these barriers and increasing awareness, we can save lives.

Our mission is to start by working with bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and community based organizations in portland and nationally to ensure they have access to overdose prevention supplies, and staff are trained in overdose prevention methods.

Find Pharmacies and community organizations distributing narcan and conducting trainings
in your state.

Find naloxone and trainings

GET NALOXONE BY MAIL

if you need naloxone and cannot access it locally, you may qualify to have it mailed to you.

SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE

NARCAN TRAINING VIDEO

NALOXONE EXPLAINER

BUNNY AND WOLF: AN ANIMATED GUIDE TO PREVENT OVERDOSE