Mangano Offers Free Life-Saving Classes to Family Members of Those Struggling with Substance Abuse
Massapequa, NY - August 27, 2014 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, in partnership with County Legislators Michael Venditto and Laura Schaefer announce a series of Overdose Prevention and Drug Abuse Awareness events in each of their districts.
Participants will learn to recognize the signs of an Opioid overdose, attempt rescue breathing and how to administer a medication called Naloxone or Narcan that can reverse the fatal effects of an overdose on Heroin or prescription painkillers to save a person’s life.
Since becoming State-certified as an Overdose Responder Program in late 2012, County officials from the Office of Mental Health & Chemical Dependency have hosted more than 60 such events and trained more than 2,000 citizens on how to administer Narcan. Attendees over the age of 18 will receive a free Narcan kit at the end of the training program.
The sessions, which run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., will also feature a panel of experts in the field of substance abuse, who can answer questions about prevention, treatment and education.
No prior medical experience is necessary to participate in the training. Narcan has been on ambulances and in emergency rooms for decades; however, State law allows ordinary citizens to administer it in an emergency situation without fear of a lawsuit or arrest. All trainees will receive a certificate of completion.
LIFE-SAVING NARCAN TRAINING SESSIONS:
- Thursday, October 2nd - Massapequa High School, 4925 Merrick Road
- Tuesday, October 7th - Valley Stream American Legion Hall, 51 Roosevelt Ave
- Thursday, October 9th - Garden City High School, 170 Rockaway Avenue
To attend one of the free Narcan training seminars or to obtain additional information, please contact Eden Laikin at elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 571-6105.