From the Office of the Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein

June 24, 2015

Contact: Mary C. St. Mary / Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: (716) 858-4941 / Mobile: (716)253-3925

WEST SENECA NALOXONE TRAINING SESSIONS

Two July Sessions Added at Vigilant Fire Department

ERIE COUNTY, NY — Erie County continues to take a proactive stance to address the serious public health crisis of fatal opioid drug overdoses in our community.  Through a partnership with the Vigilant Fire Department (666 Main Street, West Seneca, NY), two training sessions will be held at the fire company’s location in July 2015: 

• Monday, July 20^th 6 – 8 pm
• Tuesday, July 21^st 9 – 11 am 

Once participants successfully complete the two-hour training, they will be able to recognize a possible drug overdose and administer naloxone (trade names: Narcan® or Evzio®). They will receive a free kit containing two naloxone doses provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

“Time is of the essence when a person has overdosed on opioids,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. “Fatal overdoses have occurred this year in urban, suburban, and rural Erie County communities, both in high-income and in lower-income areas. 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, call 911, and then administer the naloxone in their possession, additional lives will be saved.”

In addition, New York State’s 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; and
• From prosecution in felony possession (unless there are aggravating circumstances, e.g. possession with intent to sell or outstanding warrants) 

 Community Trainings

Opioid Overdose Recognition & Use of Naloxone for Reversal  

Registration is online only.  Preregistration is highly recommended as space is limited. There is no cost for Erie County residents. For questions about trainings, please call (716) 858-7690. 

For more information:         

• Erie County Department of Health  
• New York State Department of Health
• Harm Reduction Coalition
• National Institute on Drug Abuse

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