FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 5, 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794
Brian Devine | (516) 869-2475
Town to Partner with North Shore University Hospital to Offer Free Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training
North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Council Member Robert Troiano, Jr., and the Town Board are pleased to announce that the Town is collaborating with North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park to hold free opioid overdose prevention and Stop the Bleed training sessions for residents on Tuesday, July 12 at the “Yes We Can” Community Center in Westbury/New Cassel.
“Prior to becoming Town Supervisor, I spent five years as Executive Director of the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse, working to spread awareness, helping others learn warning signs of drug addiction, and increasing the availability of Narcan training to safely and effectively reverse the fatal effects of an opioid overdose,” Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “I hope our residents can join us for this important seminar. Initiatives like this help save lives.”
“Many of us know people who have been directly impacted by the opioid epidemic,” said Council Member Robert Troiano, Jr. “A dear friend lost their son due to an opioid overdose. Had a Narcan kit and someone who was properly trained been available, his life would have been saved. I am happy the Town is partnering with Northwell on this initiative”
“Opioid misuse was a major concern before the pandemic, and unfortunately, nothing has changed for the better in the more-than two years since,” said Jon Sendach, Executive Director, North Shore University Hospital. “It’s a silent epidemic – unless you are the friend or a loved one of someone dealing with a substance use disorder. All too often, our staff sees the havoc that opioids can unleash. This collaborative training with the Town of North Hempstead is an important step toward reversing an overdose before it’s too late. Both Narcan and Stop the Bleed trainings are meant to be an important stop-gap to save lives before help arrives.”
The program will teach participants how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose. All who complete the program will be provided a Narcan (Naloxone) kit. Naloxone can reverse and block the effects of opioids, which will restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed due to an opioid overdose. Narcan is a needle free nasal spray that was designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. Additionally, participants will also be provided Stop the Bleed training, which will allow them to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding situations.
There will be two sessions: session 1 will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and session 2 will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. To register, please visit www.northhempsteadny.gov/training. For more information, please call 311.