Levittown, NY - September 14, 2015 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano invites families and friends of those addicted to Heroin and Opiates to a free education and support group every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Parish School, Room 209, in Levittown. Residents will have the opportunity to learn about Nassau County’s newest treatment, Vivitrol, for Heroin and Opiate addiction. Monthly injections of the non-narcotic medication Vivitrol, combined with counseling, have achieved success in combatting addiction.
“My administration has combated heroin and opioid abuse through a comprehensive strategy that includes enhanced enforcement, education and awareness,” said County Executive Mangano. “Nassau County is now offering those battling addiction 'A Shot at Life' and freedom from narcotics. Vivitrol must be paired with counseling to achieve the very best rate of total drug free independence and recovery. To learn more information and help a loved one, visit the free education and support group on Tuesday evenings at St. Bernard’s Parish School.”
The free education and support group offers experience, strength and hope of others in combatting addiction, while educating citizens on the benefits of, and the unique issues encountered by, those receiving Vivitrol treatments. The group does not provide addicts with counseling services.
Patients typically receive Vivitrol treatments for 9 to 15 months, at which point they are able to continue to recover from addiction - independent of medication. Nassau University Medical Center, five County-funded community-based treatment agencies and private practice physicians offer Vivitrol and wraparound counseling. Vivitrol prescriptions on Long Island reached 243 in August 2015.
Nationwide studies indicate a greater than 85% success rate in treating addiction with Vivitrol. Nassau County statistics indicate that 53 people died of heroin overdoses in 2014 and another 137 people died of prescription drug overdoses. There were 15 Opioid overdose deaths just in January 2015 according to the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office. Vivitrol comes at no cost to taxpayers, as it is covered by most major insurance companies and Medicaid.
For more information on Vivitrol or the free education and support group at St. Bernard’s Parish School, please visit here or call (516) 571-6105.