Home / Health / Brother's Death Sparks Naloxone Advocacy
Brother's Death Sparks Naloxone Advocacy
29 Apr
Summary
- Toronto Blue Jays player Davis Schneider lost his brother to an opioid overdose in 2020.
- Schneider is now a paid spokesperson for Narcan nasal spray manufacturer Emergent BioSolutions.
- Naloxone kits, available for free in Canada, are not widely picked up by the public.
Toronto Blue Jays player Davis Schneider is now a paid spokesperson for Emergent BioSolutions, aiming to increase awareness of naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug. This initiative stems from the tragic death of his older brother, Steven, who died of an opioid overdose in November 2020 at age 26.
Schneider, who grew up in New Jersey, expressed deep admiration for his brother, describing him as a "Superman" who dedicated his life to helping others as a nurse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Steven struggled with his mental health and succumbed to drug use, a fact Davis was unaware of at the time.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Schneider lamented that his brother was alone and that he himself was unaware of naloxone's existence. He believes that if someone had been present with naloxone, Steven's life could have been saved. This personal loss fuels his commitment to prevent similar outcomes.
Public health data reveals over 55,000 Canadians have died from opioid poisoning between January 2016 and September 2025. While naloxone kits are freely accessible across Canada, including in pharmacies and health centers, experts note that many people do not obtain them. Dr. Taryn Lloyd, an emergency physician, highlights a societal denial about the prevalence of opioid overdoses, stating they affect individuals from all backgrounds.
Dr. Lloyd explained that naloxone counteracts the respiratory depression caused by opioids, which is the primary cause of death in overdoses. She emphasized that while intramuscular injectors exist, the nasal spray is often perceived as less intimidating and equally effective. If an overdose is suspected due to irregular breathing and drowsiness, naloxone should be administered; it is harmless if the overdose is from a non-opioid substance.
Schneider advocates for naloxone kits to be as ubiquitous as fire extinguishers or first-aid kits in public spaces. Tim Deloughery, a substance use specialist, underscored that naloxone's effectiveness relies on its availability at the critical moment of need, as it rapidly unbinds opioids from the body's receptors.
