Narcan training to be held in Malverne

The Town of Hempstead’s life-saving Narcan Training program will arrive to Malverne on Aug. 11. Spearheaded by Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Malverne’s Narcan training will take place at the Malverne American Legion, at 250 Franklin Ave. in Malverne.

“The Town of Hempstead is committed to doing everything possible to help stem the tide on the worrying increase in opioid overdoses being experienced locally,” Clavin said in a news release. “This town-supported educational initiative will empower residents to save lives by learning how to administer the lifesaving drug Narcan to persons in the throes of an opioid overdose.”

In partnership with the Hempstead Town Board and County Legislator Bill Gaylor, the program will also be held at the Lynbrook Public Library on Aug. 25. The training, which is being run by D’Esposito, a retired NYPD detective and ex-chief of the Island Park Fire Department, is part of an ongoing series of Hempstead Town Narcan training events designed to combat the recent uptick in opioid overdoses being experienced across Long Island.

“The spike in opioid overdoses occurring across Long Island is cause for great concern,” D’Esposito said. “My training as both as [an] NYPD detective and volunteer firefighter has been invaluable when it comes to responding to such emergency medical incidents, and I am committed to educating my Town of Hempstead neighbors on how to save lives through the use of Narcan in opioid overdose situations.”

Members of the public will be trained on how to identify an overdose victim, administer a Narcan kit and contact emergency officials. Attendees who complete the training session will also obtain a Narcan certification and receive a complimentary Narcan kit. The Narcan kits can quickly reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose and will combat opioid deaths.

“I am proud to partner with Supervisor Clavin and Councilman D’Esposito to provide these important Narcan training sessions to the residents of Nassau County,” Gaylor said. “These classes offer invaluable information that can help save lives in the event of an emergency, and it’s imperative that we get this knowledge to as many residents as possible.”

More than 5,000 training kits have been distributed by the town to emergency services personnel, community members and even Hempstead Town public safety officers, bay constables and parks and recreation staff. Hempstead Town staff members have specialized qualifications and experience in dealing with medical emergencies through its Emergency Medical Technician squad.

The unit, based at the town’s oceanfront beaches, includes EMTs and advanced paramedics who respond to a host of safety and medical calls at the township’s beaches. These professionals can deal with issues such as heroin overdoses, and they also have the training and credentials to interact with local hospitals and ambulance corps.

“The Town of Hempstead is taking a proactive approach to respond to the opioid epidemic by holding these important Narcan training classes,” Clavin concluded. “I am grateful that Councilman D’Esposito is able to help prepare residents for how to respond to any opioid overdose emergency, and in doing so, potentially saving countless lives.”

For more information on other Narcan training dates, including the town’s free beachside Narcan training sessions held throughout the summer, please visit www.hempsteadny.gov. Residents interested in receiving training should register by contacting Councilman D’Esposito at (516) 812-3242 or email adesposito@tohmail.org.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead; compiled by Nakeem Grant