Whether peer pressure, curiosity or boredom is to blame is irrelevant. What is relevant is the fact that heroin addiction, overdose and heroin-related deaths are a result of an epidemic that is growing on Long Island faster than many other areas of our country. Heroin-related deaths are growing the fastest among those under age 21 and this drug knows no social, economic or other barriers. Honor students, athletes and even children as young as 12 are experimenting with this highly addictive drug that costs less than a pack of cigarettes.
Narcan, or naloxone hydrochloride, is an opiate antidote injection that reverses an opioid overdose. Emergency medical professionals have used Narcan for decades. Now, every Nassau County police officer is trained to administer this life-saving medication.
To help save the lives of people who are overdosing from heroin, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton is cohosting a Narcan training session with fellow Legislator Don MacKenzie. The session is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the North Shore High School auditorium, 450 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head. Note that all attendees must preregister by emailing elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov. Anyone age 18 or older can register for the training, which also covers warning signs of drug addiction, treatment options, stories of recovery and administering life-saving Narcan injections. There is no fee and each trainee will receive a free Narcan kit, which contain two prefilled syringes of naloxone (Narcan), two atomizers for nasal administration, sterile gloves and a booklet on the use of the drug. A 2006 New York State law allows citizens to administer Narcan without fear of liability.
The county has provided Narcan training to more than 4,000 people in the past three years. Dozens of these trainees have saved lives of overdosing people. While the program is clearly not the same as stemming the epidemic, it is a step in the right direction.
Nassau County and the Long Island Crisis Center offer a mental health substance abuse helpline that operates 24/7. Call 516-227-TALK (8255) if you have substance abuse concerns. Contact Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton’s office at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.
