Opioid Epidemic Continues to Worsen

Unfortunately, while government and law enforcement agencies continue to step up efforts to wage the war on addiction to heroin and prescription painkillers, more people are dying of overdoses than ever before. Thankfully, there is somewhat of a silver lining in this otherwise very dark cloud.
While not a cure, at least Narcan, the antidote to an opioid overdose, is saving more lives. In the month of September, at least 45 people were saved from overdosing in Nassau County by police, fire department volunteers or civilians using their Narcan kits. While nine residents died from opioid overdoses in the same period, September had the greatest number of saves and fewest deaths of any month in the two and one half years that data has been recorded on this horrific problem.
All Nassau County Police and EMT personnel carry Narcan kits. But many civilians are also saving lives because they have received Narcan kits at training sessions. Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton is proud to be co-sponsoring an upcoming Narcan training session with Catholic Health Services and the Port Washington Police Department. The event will take place on November 8 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Saint Francis Hospital’s De Matteis Center Auditorium, located at 101 Northern Blvd in Greenvale.
Because many heroin addicts often start using painkillers, then move to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to find, stopping the easy flow of prescription painkillers is an important first step. “This battle we’re waging is huge, but every step to educating people about how opioids often begin the road to addiction to painkillers and heroin helps in our efforts to save lives,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “It is my hope that the medical and pharmaceutical industries are starting to accept some responsibility for the problem and are working to develop less or non-addictive alternative to opioid painkillers.”
To register for the November 8 or other upcoming Narcan training sessions, visit nassaucountyny.gov/overdosetraining.
(Pictured) A potentially lifesaving Narcan kit.