Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs invite residents to attend the county’s first free Bilingual Overdose Prevention Workshop with Naloxone (Narcan) training, on Friday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hispanic Counseling Center, located at 344 Fulton Avenue in Hempstead. The training will be provided in English, and Spanish, by way of a translator using nationally-recognized translation equipment.
Attendees will be trained to administer Narcan, which can reverse the fatal effects of an overdose on heroin, or prescription meds such as oxycodone and vicodin. They’ll learn the warning signs of drug addiction, new and effective treatment options, personal stories of recovery, and more. A free nasal Narcan kit is provided to each trainee.
“We bring this special training in response to community requests to give Spanish speaking residents an opportunity to be trained and, a daytime event for those who’ve been unable to attend any of our evening trainings,” said County Executive Mangano. “Residents need to become educated about the disease of addiction, and can do so by attending our free workshop. I encourage everyone, 18 years of age and older, to take advantage of this opportunity that could save a loved one’s life and give them a chance at recovery.
So far this year, at least 24 trainees used the Narcan they were given to save the life of someone overdosing on Heroin or prescription pain pills. In all, Nassau has trained more than 9,200 civilians to administer the overdose antidote, since becoming state certified in Sept 2012. In addition to thousands of non-medically trained civilians, the County’s trainees include school nurses, athletic directors, pharmacists, auxiliary and probation officers, firefighters and 911 dispatch operators.
At least 195 Nassau residents died from opioid overdoses in 2016. Naloxone—the main ingredient in Narcan—has been used by paramedics and emergency room doctors for decades to save lives, but a 2006 State law allows citizens to administer Narcan in an attempt to save a life, without fear of liability.
All residents are welcome to attend, but seating is limited. To attend the two-hour seminar provided by the Nassau County Department of Human Services, please RSVP at www.nassaucountyny.gov/overdosetraining.
