School nurses and administrators are invited to an Overdose Prevention Workshop entitled “Schools in the Know,” to learn life-saving techniques related to heroin and pain pill misuse. Attendees will learn about current drug use trends among school-aged individuals and how to recognize and prevent an opiate overdose death. Free Narcan kits will be provided to attendees and their respective school districts at the workshop.
“I encourage school personnel to take advantage of this opportunity that could save students’ lives,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “The rise in substance use among our youth and the increasing number of unintentional overdoses, here and nationwide, demonstrates the need for communities to work together to solve substance abuse problems.” The State Education Department ruled in August 2015 that school nurses, who are “medically trained,” could participate and administer Narcan without liability. School districts also have the ability to maintain shared Narcan kits in each school district. Paramedics and emergency room doctors use Narcan to save lives. Yet a 2006 state law allows citizens to administer Narcan in an attempt to save a life, without fear of liability. Nassau County has already provided Narcan training for nearly 6,000 people since 2012. At least two-dozen trainees have used that knowledge—and the Narcan kit they were given—to revive someone overdosing on Heroin or painkillers, and save their lives. Narcan is administered through a nasal spray and is provided at no charge to trainees over the age of 18. At least 190 Nassau residents died from heroin and prescription painkillers in 2014 (final statistics for 2015 is not yet available).
The workshop, presented by the Education & Prevention Subcommittee of the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Task Force (HPTF) will be held Friday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Molloy College, 7180 Republic Airport, Farmingdale. The $10 per person fee includes a continental breakfast and continuing education credits for CASACs and social workers, provided by the Nassau County Department of Human Services. School nurses and administrators must pre-register online at www.surveymonkey/r/schoolsintheknow.
The “Schools in the Know” seminar begins with registration from 8-8:30 a.m. followed by a program at 8:30 a.m. The breakfast seminar includes speakers with personal experience with heroin and opiate use disorder, and an overview of the epidemic statistics and trends. Resources and services available, opiate overdose reversal training, and distribution of Narcan kits. For more information, contact Eden Laikin at 516-571-6105.
Nassau’s Mental Health and Chemical Dependency professionals, within the County’s Department of Human Services, have trained over 6,000 civilians and first responders, since the office became state certified in September 2012. Dozens of trainees have used that knowledge and the Narcan kit they were given to revive someone overdosing on Heroin or painkillers, and save their lives. The Heroin Prevention Task Force is co-chaired by Mangano and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
For dates and locations of upcoming public overdose prevention seminars, call 516-571-6105 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/overdose.
To schedule a Narcan training session in your community contact David Hymowitz at 516-227-7023.
