Free Opioid Training, Naloxone Kit Being Offered By Montgomery Co

ROCKVILLE, MD — As the country continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, Montgomery County officials will be offering opioid overdose response training and supplies to residents at classes on Thursday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 13. Participants will learn how to administer Naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing drug, and will receive a free life-saving kit.

"Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that is used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, namely slowed or stopped breathing. Expanding the awareness and availability of this medication is a key part of the public health response to the opioid epidemic," the U.S. surgeon general said. "Naloxone is a safe antidote to a suspected overdose and, when given in time, can save a life. Research shows that when naloxone and overdose education are available to community members, overdose deaths decrease in those communities."

The county will be holding the first training session on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 401 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The free class is from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The second training session will be on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 25520 Oak Drive in Damascus. The class is from 3 to 5 p.m.

While training is free, participants are required to register by email or phone: OverdoseResponseProgram@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-1836.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided upon request. Officials ask that people request these services as far in advance as possible. Do not give officials less than three business days notice. To ask for sign language interpreter services or other accommodations, call Erin Fashion at 240-777-4538, MD Relay 711, or email overdoseresponseprogram@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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