LA SALLE - In response to persistently high overdose rates throughout LaSalle and Bureau counties, two local establishments have teamed up with local community-based nonprofit The Perfectly Flawed Foundation to provide free community training for the administration of naloxone, a nasal medication used to treat known or suspected opioid overdose.

Sanctuary, 125 Hennepin St., LaSalle (formerly Jim’s Lounge, recently reopened by Dani Brzozowski and Katie Orsini) and Jack’s Tap, 129 E. Devlin St., Spring Valley will each host a 60-minute training this October in partnership with staff at The Perfectly Flawed Foundation. The trainings will take place at Jack’s Tap on Monday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. and at Sanctuary on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.

These trainings are targeted specifically for bartenders and waitstaff and provide attendees with critical insight into how to recognize a suspected overdose and how to handle emergency care. The events are being offered at no cost and are open to the public, but registration is required. Please RSVP to 125.sanctuary@gmail.com.

Luke Tomsha, founder of The Perfectly Flawed Foundation, believes bar staff can serve as a critical entry point to reduce overdose and improve community wellness. “Bar staff and patrons regularly interact with are individuals who are at an elevated risk of overdose or may need help with their drug or alcohol use,” Tomsha said. “They are often the first people to lend an ear when someone may be struggling or experiencing life challenges. Our goal is to educate staff at these establishments and help provide tools and resources they can utilize to connect people to care and guide them towards positive change.”

Brzozowski noted, “I’ve done work in this sphere with Luke in the past and think the value The Perfectly Flawed Foundation provides our community is inarguable. This is an opportunity for us to meet people where they are and for us to be good stewards of the community we love and to take care of the people who make it great.”