Two peer support experts from Prince William County Government converted what was supposed to be a normal neighborhood outreach into a life-saving mission.
While Ashim Pandey and Kishawna Scarborough were out giving out naloxone kits and talking to people about recovery programs, they saw a man who seemed agitated and kept walking back and forth on the pavement.
Pandey said he stopped to ask if everything was all right. The man told him a woman nearby was overdosing. Pandey didn’t hesitate. “The decision to follow him came naturally,” he said. “It was simply the right thing to do.”
The two rushed to the scene. Paramedics were already on their way, but time mattered. Pandey handed a naloxone kit to one of the woman’s friends and calmly guided the steps to use it. Within minutes, she began breathing again.
“There were moments when I feared we might lose her,” Pandey said. “She seemed so young. I’m just thankful we were there when it counted.” The woman, who was 24 years old that day, woke up before the emergency responders got there.
Scarborough added that the experience reminded her of why she joined the county’s peer support program. She said, “Working as a peer support specialist is deeply rewarding.”
Both specialists credited their REVIVE! overdose-response training, which teaches participants how to recognize and respond to opioid emergencies using naloxone.
Scarborough credited REVIVE! training, which prepares Community Services staff to recognize and respond to opioid overdose emergencies by administering naloxone.
“REVIVE training provided me with valuable knowledge to be able to help this individual,” Scarborough said.
Pandey remained with the woman until EMS arrived, providing information on recovery resources and support services.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
