By admin 
WILSON, N.C. (WNCN) — Kahmahl Simmons and Jamar Freeman spend countless hours at DiFrent Level Barber Studios in Wilson, giving fresh haircuts.
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“It was just a regular day in the barbershop,” said Freeman.
Until two months ago.
“A client who was hanging out around the barbershop, not even getting a haircut, came running into the shop hysterically,” said Simmons.
And that’s when these two barbers went on a lifesaving mission. “We drop our clippers, leave the clients in the chair, you know, excuse me one second type of thing,” said Simmons.
The pair found a man having an episode, and they say a woman outside started asking a series of questions to the man.
“We said hold on, we have the Narcan inside, maybe he did take that pill, or maybe some type of fentanyl,” said Simmons.
“I was holding him — he bit his tongue, foaming at the mouth,” said Freeman.
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“Once we administered the Narcan, we watched him breathe, watched him get fresh air,” said Simmons.
Both barbers say their knowledge and training came from workshops hosted by Raleigh nonprofit Grooming Resources and Opportunities (GRO).
“So, when I found out Jamar, who took the training with us, was able to save somebody’s life, I was blown away,” said Reggie Winston, GRO founder and barber.
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Winston says the partnership with GRO and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine began a few years ago with Dr. Rodney Harris.
“Several years ago, Reggie and I thought that we were going to start using gun locks and Narcan. We had this thought to place them in barbershops and the community,” said Professor Dr. Rodney Harris, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
The National Institutes of Health says in North Carolina, over 3,000 residents die from suspected overdoses annually. And that’s why Reggie and Dr. Harris say they’re on a mission to equip barbers and local communities to save lives.
“We are noticing that those rates are starting to decrease,” said Dr. Harris.
It’s training, this barber says, that equipped him with the knowledge and Narcan to save a life.
“To help somebody you know save their life in that type of situation, I think we were very grateful to have it,” Simmons said.
Grooming Resources and Opportunities will host their 2nd Annual 988 and Skate Block Party on Saturday, May 30, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Conlon Family Skate Park in Raleigh. They say the purpose is to raise awareness of mental health. You can learn about the event by clicking here.
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