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Mangano, Ford Offer Free Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Seminar In Long Beach

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  14. October 2015

Long Beach, NY - October 13, 2015 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and County Legislator Denise Ford will once again join with the Long Beach community to offer a free Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Seminar for residents to learn when and how to administer the lifesaving antidote Narcan, and how to access help for those living with addiction. Social Worker and Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor attendees will also be eligible to receive free Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the two hour workshop due to its approval by the New York State Education Department and New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

County Executive Mangano stated, “Nassau County continues to host free Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Seminars to help keep families whole while giving those with addiction another chance at recovery. Together with our education, awareness enforcement and treatment initiatives, my administration and the Heroin Prevention Task Force are diligently combatting drug abuse throughout Nassau County.”

The free Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Seminar takes place on Thursday, October 15th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Long Beach Public Library, located at 111 West Park Avenue. The seminar is co-hosted by RIP LB – a community coalition that began after the overdose deaths of two residents – within hours of one another - in 2014.

Heroin and prescription painkillers accounted for 190 deaths last year in Nassau County. Double that number, however, have been saved by Narcan. A 2006 State law allows citizens to administer Narcan in an attempt to save a life, without fear of liability. Narcan is administered through a nasal spray, and is provided at no charge to trainees over the age of 18. Nassau County Behavioral Health officials have trained more than 5,300 non-medically trained citizens since becoming state-certified as an Overdose Prevention program in October 2012. At least a dozen trainees have used that knowledge - and a Narcan kit - to revive someone overdosing on heroin or painkillers, and save their lives. The program is overseen by the New York State Department of Health, which distributes Narcan kits free to Nassau County, allowing the County to pass them along to trainees at no cost. County officials also coordinate trainings in the community and at community agencies while also teaching residents the warning signs of drug addiction, how to recognize an Opiate overdose, available treatment options, and allowing residents to share their personal stories of recovery.

No prior medical experience is necessary to participate in the Overdose Prevention Seminars. All trainees will receive a certificate of completion. The Seminar schedule is available online. To RSVP and reserve your free Narcan kit, email or call (516) 571-6105.

 

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