Overdose Prevention training comes to Elmont community

 

It is no secret that in recent years there has been widespread use and far too oftentimes abuse of prescription drugs nationwide.

“For as long as there have been prescriptions, there has been misuse of prescription drugs,” said New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman in an op-ed piece for Newsday last summer. “But in recent years, abuse of prescription painkillers has exploded.”

Elmont and neighboring communities are not immune to this epidemic, and Elmont just like any other community stands to benefit greatly from further education & preparedness training around drug use.

Enter Helen Fries – Elmont resident & former captain for the Elmont Fire Department. As first reported by the Long Island Herald, Fries has been instrumental in bringing a free information seminar to the community as a way to equip residents with potentially life-saving skills & increase awareness about drug overdoses. Here is an excerpt from the original article —

[Via The Long Island Herald]:

The seminar — which will teach residents about the plan of action that would be necessary if someone overdoses on Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Heroin — will be held at the Elmont Fire Department at 95 Lehrer Avenue on July 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Residents will learn about and learn how to use Narcan, a lifesaving antidote that is administered through a simple nasal spray that can reverse the fatal effects of an opioid overdose. The event is free for all attendees.

 

The seminar is being sponsored by Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) and County Executive Ed Mangano. The idea however, first came to Fries, who thought that her Elmont community would benefit greatly.

Fries said she first got the idea to bring the Narcan training to a local venue after hearing about how rapidly the epidemic is spreading. She then asked the commissioner and fire chiefs to use the building to host a session, which is the first one of its kind in the area. She then called the County Department of Health and asked for a date that would work.

Fries said that she may arrange a second session if the first one has a positive turnout. She also said that it is important that anyone who wishes to attend, RSVP before the seminar by calling Eden Laikin at 516-571-6105, or emailing elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov.

[Via The Long Island Herald]

Kudos to Helen Fries, County Executive Ed Mangano and Senator Jack Martins for taking the lead on this important initiative!

According to StopOverdose.org, “Naloxone (Narcan) is an antidote to opioid drugs. Opioids include heroin, morphine, oxycodone (Oxycontin), methadone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and other prescription pain medications. Opioids can slow or stop a person’s breathing, which causes death. Naloxone helps the person wake up and keeps them breathing. It is a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose. It cannot be used to get high and is not addictive.”

“Naloxone is safe and effective; emergency medical professionals have used it for decades. An overdose death may happen hours after taking drugs. If a bystander acts when they first notice a person’s breathing has slowed, or when they can’t awaken a user, there is time to call 911, start rescue breathing (if needed) and give naloxone. Naloxone acts in 2-5 minutes. If the person doesn’t wake up in 5 minutes, bystanders should give a second dose. (Rescue breathing should be done while you wait for the naloxone to take effect to that the person gets oxygen to their brain.)”

Note: The Excelsior does not offer medical advice, instead only makes available already public information. In case of emergency, call 911 immediately! Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site. Thank you and be well!

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