Mangano To Host Workshop On Overdose Prevention

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths related to drug overdose, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, in conjunction with his Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force is sponsoring a free training workshop in overdose prevention.

The “Recognizing the Signs and Saving a Life” workshop, scheduled for November 1st, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage, will focus on how to administer the life-saving overdose antidote called Narcan. Attendees will receive a free kit containing Narcan to take home with them.

“Upon taking office I launched an aggressive program to confront the growing problem of opiate abuse,” said County Executive Mangano. “My program includes awareness, education, enforcement and recovery. This workshop gives those that have overdosed a chance at recovery by training citizens to administer Narcan, a life-saving medication.”

Nassau is the only county in the state offering the life-saving Narcan training to non-medically trained individuals. County officials have extended an invitation to the Narcan training to local PTAs, drug treatment providers, school social workers and family members who are identified as having drug-addicted at-risk loved ones. The training for non-medical persons is made possible by the recent certification of the County’s Office of Mental Health & Chemical Dependency in a New York State Health Department Overdose Prevention initiative. It is anticipated that dozens of county employees and residents living with at-risk family members will be trained during the next few months.

In 2011, there were 151 deaths in Nassau as a result of prescription pain killers, Heroin or other opiates. Participation in the state’s Overdose Prevention Program is one of two dozen recommendations released last month by the County’s drug task force, following a year-long study.

Seating at the workshop is limited. RSVP by October 26 to elaikin@nassaucountyny.com or call 516-571-6105.