HELENA — Helena organizations came together Monday for International Overdose Awareness Day to honor those lost to overdose, raise awareness about the crisis, and give community members the tools they need to help save lives.
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For Jakob Mayberry, the day carried deep personal meaning.
"She passed away when I was 12, and it was through an overdose. She was seizuring in her bed - I saw it happen," Mayberry said.
Mayberry lost his mother to overdose and said the experience left a lasting mark on his family.
"It was a pretty traumatic event for us for sure. Incredibly tough. Young kid, we didn't know what to do. Trying to go through that has been very difficult," Mayberry said.
His story comes as organizations across Helena work to raise awareness about overdose prevention and addiction recovery.
At the Montana Heritage Center, Best Practice Medicine hosted hands-on naloxone/Narcan training, teaching community members and first responders how to administer the overdose-reversing medication before emergency crews arrive.
John Thomson, Best Practice Medicine's dean of education, said the program has reached thousands across the state.
"We've trained 1,700 of these guys across the state, and those 1,700 have trained 7,000 general users that are able to administer Narcan in an emergency," Thomson said.
According to the state, 92 Montanans died from overdoses in 2024. Helena police said overdose calls remain common enough that every officer now carries Narcan. Capt. Adam Shanks said the department has already put the medication to use many times.
"Since we started carrying Narcan, well into the 25, 30, 40 range of times where our officers have delivered the Narcan and a person's come-to from their overdose," Shanks said.
Across town at the Lewis and Clark Library, the Strong Roots Coalition hosted an overdose awareness event focused on education, recovery resources and support for families impacted by addiction.
Toni Lassu, an addiction counselor with PureView Health, said events like Tuesday's are critical.
"We see a lot of individuals that struggle with it coming into the hospital, coming in to talk to us about it, so it's really important to have events like this to bring awareness to it," Lassu said.
Mayberry said he hopes others learn from what his family experienced before it is too late.
"When we were growing up, this stuff wasn't being talked about. They don't know how bad it can truly get until sometimes it's too late, and in that case, that was what happened with her. Know that people are out there to help," Mayberry said.
Another community outreach event is planned for Sept. 9 in Lincoln, where residents will be able to receive overdose education, resources and free naloxone.
