October 16, 2012

KOPEL ANNOUNCES LIFE SAVING DRUG OVERDOSE PROGRAM TO BE HOSTED BY COUNTY

Legislator Howard J. Kopel, the Alternate Deputy Presiding Officerof the County Legislature, is pleased to announce that Nassau County recently earned certification from the New York State Department of Health to administer an Overdose Drug Prevention Program.

Nassau County is now thefirst of New York's 62 counties to earn this certification.

"I'm pleased that Nassau County is now able to provide vital prevention information to neighbors, families and at-risk individuals through its State accredited Overdose Drug Prevention Program," said Legislator Kopel.

The certification granted enables thetraining of county employees andfamily members of at risk individuals in administering overdose reversal agents, known as Narcan or naloxone, to individuals who have ingested large amounts of narcotics and who are in a life threatening situation. As part of the state certification, Nassau County will be provided with overdose reversal agents at no cost to residents.

If you have a family member that you fear is at-risk for an over-dose situation, please register to be trained in the use of Narcan.

The County will provide training on November 1st at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center, located at 510 Grumman Road West, in Bethpage from 7-9 PM. Registration is required. Please RSVP at (516) 227-7028.