REVERE, Mass. — Boston 25 News reporter Malini Basu has been following the story of a man who, in February 2020, overdosed in a Walgreen’s bathroom and said he was refused Narcan. He’s now one year sober.
He’s hoping his story will help others. He wants his story heard and wants people to know to never give up. For interview purposes, we’re calling him Joe.
“I remember walking into the store and waking up on floor,” said the recovering addict.
An amazing update to this story:
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) March 9, 2021
1 year later I met the 32y/o who overdosed in a Walgreens bathroom in Revere. He's been clean, and now has a full-time job.
"Never give up. Take it day by day. There is hope out there."
Hear his incredible story tonight @boston25. https://t.co/dhLVXtv2ss
“Anybody in my condition should’ve never been allowed to buy needles at a pharmacy,” Joe said.
According to his attorney, Paul Anthony, surveillance video showed how poor Joe’s condition was when he walked in.
“One of the things they should be doing is training for this particular matter, people giving out needles now,” said Anthony, with the Law Office of Paul J. Anthony.
Seconds later, Joe said he overdosed on heroin.
“It’s Russian roulette, you never know what you’re getting,” Joe said.
The man who saved Joe claims Walgreens failed to provide Narcan to him because it was too expensive.
PREVIOUS: Man claims Walgreens failed to provide Narcan to overdose patient because ‘it’s too expensive’
“I said, ‘you have to give me some Narcan from the pharmacist. This kid is dead.’ He said, ‘Narcan cost money,’” said Jimmy Kane, an executive at Meta Addiction Treatment Facility in North Reading who is credited with saving Joe’s life by doing CPR and grabbing Narcan from his car.
“It’s a miracle he’s alive,” Kane said.
Here is the link to my original story from Feb 2020:#AddictionRecovery https://t.co/jVN9fDiorO https://t.co/shs7yUZwTa
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) March 9, 2021
The 32-year-old addict was on his way to a recovery facility in Florida before he overdosed.
“It killed me. It’s the best, worst thing that’s ever happened,” Joe said.
Joe said it’s what he went through on that bathroom floor that made him change his life, where he now has a full-time job.
“I was so broken, so hopeless. They say it’s a day at a time, sometimes an hour at a time, minute at a time. Focusing on the bigger picture” Joe said.
Joe is now making it his mission to coach others who need help. Boston 25 News did reach out to Walgreens for a comment but have not heard back.
Cox Media Group
