ERFD to host Narcan workshop

Residents concerned about the rising rates of opioid use and overdoses will have a chance next week to learn about how to respond in emergency situations.

At least 87 people died in Nassau County from opioid overdoses since the beginning of 2014, and police and EMTs in the county have responded to more than 370 non-fatal overdoses in the same time period. 12 overdose deaths were recorded between January 2012 to June 2014, the fourth highest rate among Nassau communities during that time period.

To combat the heroin epidemic, County Executive Ed Mangano’s office is sponsoring an educational event about opioid overdose kits on Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Firehouse on Grant Avenue.

The event is organized by Eden Laikin, head of the Nassau County Heroin Prevention Task Force and the Nassau County Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force. Attendees will receive opioid overdose kits, which include the overdose reversal agent known as Naloxone or Narcan. They will also learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer Narcan. “People that are dying from this are dying for the most part in their own homes. By using these kits we can hopefully prevent some of those deaths,” Laikin said, pointing out that roughly 85 percent of opiod overdoes occur in the presence of other individuals, but no medical assistance is sought.

Lynbrook Police officers Doug King and John Stawinski can testify to the anti-ovedose agent’s effectiveness. The pair revived an overdose victim in July of 2014 using Narcan, and King said the kit is a key resource when responding to an overdose.

“It’s pretty easy to use,” he said. “The county gave us some really good training and showed us how to use it. It’s a syringe with a foam tip. You spray half up one nostril, half up the other.”

Laikin spearheaded the county’s overdose reversal program after learning of the life-saving agents from news stories in other states. From there, she helped the county become state certified with the Overdose Responder Program in 2012, which allowed them to begin holding educational workshops.

Those that would like to attend the event or learn more should contact Eden Laikin at elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or 516-571-6105.