Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano invites families, friends and those addicted to heroin and other opiates to a free weekly education and support group focused on a new program that has given opiate-addicted people a “Shot at Life.”
The group meets on Tuesdays, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at St. Bernard’s Parish School, located at 3100 Hempstead Turnpike (Room 209) in Levittown. Residents can obtain information about ‘A Shot at Life’ – Nassau County’s newest medication-supported treatment program for heroin and opiate addiction. A monthly injection of a non-narcotic, extended-release medication called Naltrexone (or Vivitrol), when combined with counseling, has had great success in Nassau and across the nation.
County Executive Mangano stated, “My administration and the Heroin Prevention Task Force are helping addicts and families retake their lives through education, awareness, enforcement and treatment initiatives. This free support group offers families and those battling addiction information on our A Shot at Life program and freedom from the grip of narcotics.”
On Tuesday, May 17th, Great Neck neurologist Dr. Russell Surasky will speak with the education and support group about Naltrexone and its success in treating the neurologic changes that occur during addiction. A member of the Nassau County Medical Society, Dr. Surasky serves as chief physician and consultant to multiple addiction centers on Long Island. The education and support group consistently offers an opportunity for residents to learn about the various stages of Naltrexone treatment and share experiences with others still combatting addiction.
Nassau University Medical Center, and at least five County-funded community-based treatment agencies also offer Naltrexone and wraparound counseling services. There are an estimated 350 Long Islanders currently receiving Naltrexone. Nassau County Medical Examiner statistics indicate that at least 190 people died from heroin or pain-pill overdoses in 2015 – with 15 overdose deaths in one month last year. Naltrexone is covered by most private insurance companies and Medicaid.
For more information on ‘A Shot at Life’ or the free education and support group at St. Bernard’s Parish School, please visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/shotatlife or call (516) 571-6105.
