Show Notes
Denise Barnes is a devoted mother of three, married to a loving Christian husband, and a proud native of San Diego, California. Her family’s life, rich with faith and their shared love for surfing, was shattered by an unimaginable tragedy this year. Her youngest son, vibrant and full of potential, overdosed on a Xanax pill unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Though Narcan was administered, a fatal decision was made—911 was never called. This critical delay in medical intervention cost her son his life, leaving an irreplaceable void and a lifetime of heartache for her family.
This devastating loss has transformed Denise’s grief into a profound sense of purpose. She is on a mission to educate families, schools, and communities about a crucial, life-saving truth: **Narcan (naloxone) can restart the heart, but only trained medical professionals can ensure it keeps beating.** Administering Narcan without calling 911 is not enough to save a life. Time is of the essence in an overdose situation—every second counts.
Denise is unwavering in her dedication to spreading this message. She shares her story to drive home a heartbreaking yet vital lesson: Narcan buys time, but emergency medical help is what saves lives. Through her advocacy, she aims to spare other families the pain her own has endured. Her voice resonates with urgency, pushing for greater awareness and understanding of how to respond effectively to an overdose.
Harnessing her faith and her love for her son, Denise has found strength in her mission. She speaks at schools, partners with media outlets, and uses social platforms to amplify her message. Her Instagram account, **denise.barnes37**, serves as a hub for her advocacy work, reminding everyone of the life-and-death difference that Narcan, when paired with an immediate 911 call, can make.
Through her appearances on podcasts and other platforms, Denise Barnes is honoring her son’s memory by fighting for change. She invites listeners to learn, share, and act—ensuring that no parent, sibling, or loved one has to endure the same devastating loss.
Follow Denise’s journey and help spread the life-saving message: **NARCAN + 911.**
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Intro and Outro music by:
Decisions by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100756
Artist: http://incompetech.com/