MEDIA RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale Burstein
Date April 22, 2015
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Overwhelming Response to Naloxone Training Sessions
Prompts Scheduling of Ongoing Monthly Trainings
ERIE COUNTY, NY—Erie County continues to take a strong, proactive role in addressing the current epidemic of opioid drug overdoses. Erie County residents, once they successfully complete the two-hour training that will enable them to recognize a possible drug overdose and administer naloxone (trade name Narcan®) can now receive a free kit containing two naloxone doses provided by the New York State Department of Health (“NYSDOH”).
The unanticipated public response to these training sessions has led to an expansion of the program to meet residents’ needs. Residents can attend either a morning training (9am – 11 am) or an evening training (6pm – 8 pm) from May – October 2015. Trainings are scheduled for the evening of the first Wednesday of each month, with a morning session to follow on the next day (Thursday morning). Trainings will be held at the Erie County Fire Training Academy at 3359 Broadway St. in Cheektowaga.
“It is the logical next step in our comprehensive approach to put naloxone in the hands of those in the community who need it most,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Through a collaborative effort between the Erie County Health Department (“ECDOH”), Buffalo Police Department, Horizon Health Services and Evergreen Health Services, two training sessions per month will be offered in order to meet the significant demand from county residents.”
“No one and no family anywhere in Erie County should underestimate the seemingly invincible power of an opiate addiction. Fatal overdoses have occurred this year in urban, suburban and rural Erie County communities; in high-income and in lower-income areas. We need to remove the stigma from substance abuse and support addicted individuals seeking treatment. Substance abuse is a chronic disease and needs to be recognized and treated as such in order to stem the growing tide of deaths,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein.
The comprehensive program to train and distribute naloxone kits to first responders and law enforcement officers began in June 2014. Since its inception, over 1,000 individuals from almost 100 first responder programs have been trained. Naloxone works by temporarily reversing the opioid effects, allowing the individual to regain consciousness and resume breathing. Since then, the lives of numerous victims of opioid overdoses have been saved through the prompt administration of the drug by trained officers.
“Time is of the essence when a person has overdosed on opioids. First responders, especially in more rural areas, cannot always reach a victim in time. By training individuals to recognize the signs of a possible overdose and call 911, and then administer the naloxone in their possession, additional lives will be saved,” Burstein added.
Community Trainings
Opioid Overdose Recognition and Use of Naloxone for Reversal
Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose; administer naloxone properly; and take necessary follow-up steps.
Erie County Fire Training Academy (3359 Broadway near Union Road, Cheektowaga NY 14227
Online Registration only--Preregistration highly recommended as space is limited
Date |
Evening Trainings |
Registration Link |
Wednesday, May 6 |
6 - 8 pm |
|
Wednesday, June 3 |
6 - 8 PM |
|
Wednesday, July 1 |
6 - 8 PM |
|
Wednesday, August 5 |
6 - 8 PM |
|
Wednesday, September 2 |
6 - 8 PM |
|
Wednesday, October 7 |
6 - 8 PM |
|
Date |
Morning Trainings |
Registration Link |
Thursday, May 7 |
9 – 11 am |
|
Thursday, June 4 |
9 – 11 AM |
|
Thursday, July 2 |
9 – 11 AM |
|
Thursday, August 6 |
9 – 11 AM |
|
Thursday, September 3 |
9 – 11 AM |
|
Thursday, October 8 |
9 – 11 AM |
No cost for Erie County residents Questions about Trainings: (716) 858-7690
Naloxone is a benign drug. If it is administered when an individual is not experiencing an opioid overdose, no harm will come to the patient. In addition, the Good Samaritan Law protects an overdose victim and those who summon help:
- From arrest in the presence of misdemeanor drug possession and/or underage drinking
- From prosecution in felony possession (unless there are aggravating circumstances, e.g. possession with intent to sell or outstanding warrants)
For more information
Erie County – www.erie.gov/health and http://1.usa.gov/1GK8Rvp
New York State Department of Health – www.health.ny.gov/overdose
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services -- http://www.oasas.ny.gov/index.cfm?level=services
Harm Reduction Coalition -- http://harmreduction.org/ National Institute on Drug Abuse – http://www.drugabuse.gov/
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