DeRiggi-Whitton Hosts Opioid and Narcan Event

Of the more than 50 attendees at a recent Narcan education and training session held at the Port Washington Public Library, few or none were likely there because of an impending threat to a loved one who is addicted to heroin or another opioid.

Rather, they came to learn more about why the opioid addiction continues to be a growing public health crisis across the country.

Co-sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and the Port Washington Police Department, each of the Narcan education and training sessions feature family members who have lost loved ones to overdoses…children who were honor students, athletes and good children from good homes.

“Prescription painkillers are a starting point for addiction, leading people to eventually gravitate to heroin when their doctors will no longer prescribe opioids,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “These Narcan meetings are important, not only to get this life-saving opioid overdose reversal kit in the hands of as many people as possible, but also to stress how easily addictive medications ending in ‘odone’ are.”

Delia wishes to thank Police Chief Jim Salerno for the Department's continued support as well as the Port Washington Public Library for generously offering their meeting space to hold the event. Please free to contact Delia's office for more information at 516-571-6211 or visit nassaucountyny.gov/overdosetraining.

In photo, from left: Port Washington Police Department Lieutenant Kevin McCarroll, Deputy Chief Jeff Morris, Chief Jim Salerno, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton and Commissioners Angela Lawlins Muller and Tom Rice.