Toronto Blue Jays Star Davis Schneider Joins Emergent BioSolutions to Combat Opioid Stigma After Brother's Death

Key facts

• Davis Schneider lost his brother Steven to an opioid poisoning in 2020.
• Schneider is partnering with Emergent BioSolutions to promote NARCAN Nasal Spray.
• Canada sees an average of 17 opioid poisoning deaths per day.
• More than 53,000 Canadians have died from opioid poisonings since 2016.
• Emergent has delivered over 100 million doses of NARCAN since 2018.
• NARCAN is available at no cost in seven Canadian provinces and territories.
• Schneider's story is featured on Emergent's Opioid Crisis Impact Map.

A Personal Mission Born from Tragedy

Davis Schneider, the Toronto Blue Jays left fielder, has turned a family tragedy into a public health campaign. On Wednesday, Emergent BioSolutions announced a partnership with Schneider to break the stigma around opioid poisonings and encourage Canadians to carry NARCAN Nasal Spray. Schneider’s older brother Steven, a registered nurse who brought joy to patients and friends, died unexpectedly in 2020 from an opioid poisoning. “Steven always inspired me to be a good person,” Schneider said in a statement. “You might never know what someone else is going through, so it’s important to be prepared.” The partnership leverages Schneider’s platform as a professional athlete to reach a broad audience. Emergent’s Opioid Crisis Impact Map, an interactive platform that collects lived experiences, now includes Steven’s story.

The Scale of Canada’s Opioid Epidemic

Canada remains in the grip of a devastating opioid poisoning epidemic, the deadliest drug crisis in the nation’s history. An average of 17 lives are lost each day, and more than 53,000 Canadians have died since 2016. Despite these staggering numbers, many Canadians remain unaware that opioid poisoning deaths can often be prevented. NARCAN Nasal Spray, a pure opioid antagonist, can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes when administered promptly, even by someone without medical training. Emergent emphasizes that the spray is not a substitute for professional care; users should always call 911 immediately after administering it.

Access and Availability of NARCAN Nasal Spray

Emergent has delivered more than 100 million doses of NARCAN Nasal Spray across Canada and the United States since 2018. In Canada, the spray is available at no cost to all residents of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon through provincial and territorial take-home naloxone programs. It is also covered by Veteran Affairs Canada, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Canadians can order NARCAN online at OrderNARCAN.ca. The company’s goal is to make the life-saving spray as accessible as possible, particularly in communities hardest hit by the crisis.

Breaking Stigma Through Storytelling

Paul Williams, senior vice president and head of products business at Emergent, said the company is “focused on doing our part to break down stigma and improve access and awareness of NARCAN Nasal Spray.” He expressed gratitude to Schneider for sharing Steven’s story and helping to “elevate this critical conversation.” The Opioid Crisis Impact Map, which now features Schneider’s account, aims to humanize the statistics. By putting faces and names to the numbers, Emergent hopes to shift public perception and encourage proactive preparedness. Schneider’s involvement brings a high-profile voice to a cause that often remains hidden.

A Call to Action for Every Canadian

Schneider’s message is direct: anyone can be the difference between life and loss. “Whether it was the patients he supported as a registered nurse or one of his many friends and loved ones, my older brother Steven brought a smile to everyone’s face,” he said. The outfielder urged every person, parent, and family to be prepared to help save a life in an opioid emergency. Emergent, which has been producing protective and life-saving solutions for over 25 years, sees this partnership as part of its broader mission. The company’s portfolio includes countermeasures for smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, and anthrax, in addition to opioid overdose emergencies. By aligning with a sports figure, Emergent aims to reach Canadians who might not otherwise engage with public health messaging.

What Comes Next

The partnership launches at a time when the opioid crisis shows no signs of abating. With thousands of deaths each year and many more non-fatal overdoses, the need for widespread naloxone access remains urgent. Schneider’s story on the Impact Map will remain a permanent part of the platform, serving as a reminder of the human cost of the epidemic. Emergent continues to expand distribution of NARCAN, and the company hopes that high-profile endorsements will normalize carrying the spray. For Schneider, the campaign is a way to honor his brother’s legacy and prevent other families from experiencing the same loss.

The bottom line

• Davis Schneider, a Toronto Blue Jays star, lost his brother Steven to an opioid poisoning in 2020 and now partners with Emergent BioSolutions to promote NARCAN Nasal Spray.
• Canada’s opioid crisis kills an average of 17 people daily, with over 53,000 deaths since 2016.
• NARCAN Nasal Spray can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes and is available at no cost in seven provinces and territories.
• Emergent has delivered more than 100 million doses of NARCAN since 2018.
• The Opioid Crisis Impact Map features personal stories to reduce stigma and encourage preparedness.
• Schneider urges all Canadians to carry NARCAN and be ready to act in an opioid emergency.