Denise Damewood, RN, BSN, MAR, is the Founder of Project Gabe- Opioid misuse awareness, education, and harm reduction tools for industrial workforces.
Founder Project Gabe- “Opioid misuse awareness, education, overdose antagonist & harm reduction tools for industrial workforces with a focus on the commercial fishing industry.” Nurse consultant with the State of Alaska Department of Health, Public Health & Alaska Marine Safety Education Association: AMSEA. Denise been a registered nurse for over twenty years. In 2019 she accepted a position with the State of Alaska as a Public Health Nurse. I serve in Sitka and surrounding rural communities as an itinerate nurse in the Southeast portion of Alaska, brining medical assistance to villages not on the road system. As a public health nurse living in a fishing community, the seafood industry is closely tied to public health. She works closely with the commercial fishing industry which primarily started out of necessity during the COVID pandemic years.
In addition, her partner Gary and their youngest son are both involved within the commercial seafood industry as well, seafood has been in their family for years. Gabe is the oldest of their boys, it is his tragic story of opioid overdose that brought about Project Gabe. A project born out of profound grief, tragic loss and deep concern for others who live with, and around opioid addictions and the hope centered around opioid reversal drugs that save lives.