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Monday Marks International Overdose Awareness Day

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A vigil is planned on Monday evening to remember those who have died of overdose, and to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.

Lexi Reed Holtum's fiance shared her story with WCCO Radio's Roshini Rajkumar, the host of News and Views Sunday program.

She said her fiancé became addicted to pain medicine and then turned to heroin, which ultimately led to his death.

She has worked to pass legislation that now allows first responders to carry Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an overdose.

"Every single first responder in our state has the ability to carry and administer Naloxone, just as they would carry and epi pen to administer if they had an allergic reaction," Holtum said

She says the number of people dying of heroin overdose has been increasing dramatically across the country, and here in Minnesota recently, and more needs to be done to try to stop it.

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