Nassau County, NY - August 27, 2015 - To help save lives and further combat the Heroin epidemic, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced free Overdose Prevention Seminars offered to residents in September and October. The seminars will take place in East Meadow, Plainview, Glen Head, Long Beach and Wantagh – each from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents will be taught how to recognize an Opioid overdose, and how to administer the lifesaving antidote Narcan, which can reverse its fatal effects. Attendees will also learn the warning signs of drug addiction, available treatment options, personal stories of recovery, and more.
“Through education, awareness and enforcement, my administration and the Heroin Prevention Task Force are diligently combatting heroin and opioid abuse throughout Nassau,” said County Executive Mangano. “These free Overdose Prevention Seminars continue to save lives, keep families whole and give those already addicted another chance at recovery.”
A 2006 State law allows ordinary citizens to administer Narcan in an attempt to save a life, without fear of liability. Nassau County has already provided Narcan training for more than 4,700 people since Oct. 2012. Dozens of trainees have used that knowledge and their free Narcan kit to revive someone overdosing on Heroin or painkillers, and save their life. Narcan is administered through a nasal spray, and is provided at no charge to trainees over the age of 18.
This training is provided by the Nassau County Department of Human Services, through the Behavioral Health Awareness Campaign. Trainees are eligible for two CASAC credit hours, upon request. No prior medical experience is necessary to participate in the training. All trainees will receive a certificate of completion. Anyone can attend, but seating is limited. Residents MUST pre-register either by email or by calling (516) 571-6105.
Free Overdose Prevention Seminars:
• Wednesday, September 16, 2015 – NUMC, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow - in partnership with Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves.
• Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview - in partnership with County Legislator Dennis Dunne.
• Wednesday, October 7, 2015 - Gold Coast Library, 50 Railroad Ave, Glen Head - in partnership with County Legislator Donald MacKenzie.
• Thursday, October 15, 2015 - Long Beach Library, 111 West Park Avenue - in partnership with RIP LB and Lido School District PTA.
• Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - Wantagh High School, 3297 Beltagh Avenue – in partnership with State Senator Michael Venditto, and County Legislators Steve Rhoads and James Kennedy.