Nassau Executive Ed Mangano Offers Free Lifesaving Heroin Overdose Prevention Seminar In Farmingdale

LongIsland.com

Mangano: "Residents need to become educated about the disease of addiction, and can do so by attending our free workshop."

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Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.

Photo by: Nassau County

Mineola, NY - September 21, 2017 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano invites residents to attend a free Overdose Prevention Workshop on Monday, Sept. 25th from 7pm-9pm at Farmingdale High School, located at 150 Lincoln Street. Attendees will be trained to administer Naloxone, 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 Naloxone kit is provided to each trainee.
 
“It’s not just heroin that’s causing the overdose deaths on Long Island each day—it’s also misuse and abuse of prescription pain pills,” 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 18 trainees used the naloxone they were given to save the life of someone overdosing on Heroin or prescription pain pills. In all, Nassau officials have trained more than 8,700 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 has been used by paramedics and emergency room doctors for decades to save lives, but a 2006 State law allows citizens to administer Naloxone 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 For dates and locations of additional Overdose Prevention Seminars, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/overdose.