Narcan Training Coming to Northport

The Northport community will have a chance to receive training in Narcan administration, which is used to treat opioid overdoses. The training will be held on Dec. 11, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northport Public Library at 151 Laurel

To register for the training in Northport, contact Anthony Ferrandino at anthony.ferrandino@northport.k12.ny.us by Dec. 5.

Suffolk County has trained more than 1,000 individuals in Narcan administration since November 2012 when it rolled out its first training class to community members, officials said.

“In its short existence, this program has taught local public safety officers, volunteers in community based agencies and many concerned family members how to save lives using Narcan,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “Since the program’s inception, those who have been trained to use nasal Narcan have saved 360 lives in Suffolk County.”

“We will do whatever it takes to remove opiates from homes and streets and get users into treatment,” said Leg. Kara Hahn, the sponsor of the legislation allowing the Suffolk County Health Department to conduct Narcan training for members of the public and the sponsor of the legislation allowing police officers to carry and administer Narcan. “Meanwhile, we want to train as many people as possible how to use Narcan. The more people we train, the more lives we will save.”

Suffolk County began operation as a New York registered opioid overdose program following its pilot program that trained basic life-support technicians, including Suffolk County police officers, how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer nasal Narcan. Prior to the pilot program, only advanced EMTs were authorized to administer Narcan using a needle and syringe.

“The pilot program was so successful, and the need for an opioid treatment so great, that New York State decided it was important to put Narcan into the hands of those who would most likely encounter a person overdosing, that is, friends and family of users,” said Dr. James Tomarken, the commissioner of health for the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. . “Our emergency medical team got the ball rolling and now, less than two years later we have conducted 46 classes and trained more than 1,000 community members. We expect to train many more in coming months. ”

Suffolk County emergency services staff and health educators will be training individuals in coming weeks and months. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is encouraged.