narcan-webMay 14, 2015 -- Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced that training in the administering of Narcan, a lifesaving antidote used to revive heroin overdose victims, is now being made available to the general public. County health officials have already trained hundreds of local police in the use of Narcan, including those credited with saving 12 lives in the past year.

The first public training was held at the annual meeting of the county's Department of Community Mental Health at the Westchester County Center on Wednesday (May 13) where 30 treatment and recovery professionals who work throughout Westchester were trained to use Narcan. The annual meeting brought nearly 200 advocates, mental health treatment and addiction recovery professionals together to focus on substance abuse and recovery.

"By expanding Narcan training to the public, we are increasing the potential to save lives as we continue to combat the scourge of heroin through education, treatment and cracking down on the sale and distribution," said Astorino. "We hope that people who are closest to substance abusers will consider the training that hundreds of police officers throughout Westchester have already received."

Under the leadership of Astorino, Narcan training was incorporated into his Safer Communities initiative this past year and was added to the curriculum for all police recruits who attend the Westchester County Police Academy.

When administered correctly, the nasal spray Narcan restores breathing that has been dangerously slowed by an overdose of heroin or prescription painkillers. Narcan, the brand name for the drug Naloxone, works within a minute or two and gives emergency responders time to get the person to a hospital.

Anyone age 18 or older can participate in the free county training sessions. Those who complete the training will also receive a free Narcan kit with the prescription being written by Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler.
The next two county training sessions are as follows:

  • June 1, 7:30 p.m. at Sancia Health Care, 20 Church St., White Plains. For more information or to register, email us.
  • July 22, 10 a.m. at the Department of Health, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains. For more information or to register visit the Health Department online and follow the link to the Community Opioid Overdose Training.

"This training can help save lives and give family, friends and mental health and recovery professionals the time they need to encourage substance abusers to seek treatment," said Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health, who wrote the standing orders that cover the prescriptions needed for the county to participate in the New York State Opioid Overdose Prevention Program.

"Narcan is not a panacea," said Dr. Mark Herceg, Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health. "We know that addiction is a brain disease. Mental health treatment and counseling post-Narcan is critical and vital to ensure continued health and well-being for years to come. Addiction adversely impacts every aspect of one's life."

For more information about counseling for addiction, call the Department of Community Mental Health at (914) 995-5220 or follow us on Twitter.

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