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OASAS announces free statewide naloxone training sessions

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Thu, Apr 19th 2018 02:30 pm
Free sessions will be offered as part of ongoing naloxone training efforts
The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) announced it will conduct a series of free naloxone training sessions to be held across the state. The trainings are supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. During the sessions, participants will learn how to recognize, respond to, and reverse an opioid overdose using naloxone.
"Individuals and families who experience the tragedy of an overdose can save lives by being trained and prepared," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the heroin and opioid task force. "These naloxone training sessions are vital for people to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. As someone who has been trained to administer naloxone, it's a simple process but has the potential to save a life. That's why I encourage people to take advantage of these opportunities to learn the proper protocol. We are ensuring New Yorkers have the resources and education they need to prevent another loss from the opioid epidemic." 
"Naloxone has helped thousands of people across New York state, and these trainings are an important way that we can help more people learn how to use this medication," OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. "With events like this, we are giving people the tools they need to save lives and make a difference in their communities."
The dates, times, and locations of each training session are listed below:
Erie County
  • April 30, 6 p.m.: Amherst Senior Center: 370 JJ Audubon Parkway; contact Cathy Sommer at 716-636-3055, ext. 3106, to register
Niagara County
  • April 19, 12:45 p.m.: Niagara University: 5795 Lewiston Road; contact Myrla Gibbons-Doxey at 716-439-7527 to register
  • April 19, 3 p.m.: Niagara Falls Housing Authority: 3001 9th St.; contact Gibbons-Doxey at 716-439-7527 to register
  • April 19, 7 p.m.: Wilson Firehall: 250 Young St.; contact Gibbons-Doxey at 716-439-7527 to register
OASAS is also seeking partners for similar training events in other areas. Communities and organizations looking to arrange additional trainings can email [email protected] or call 518-485-0757.
New Yorkers are encouraged to carry naloxone to help when someone is experiencing an overdose. Under the New York State Department of Health's naloxone co-payment assistance program (N-CAP), individuals can access low-cost or no-cost naloxone at pharmacies across the state. At participating pharmacies, individuals with prescription coverage as part of their health insurance plan can receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance for the purchase of this lifesaving drug. Most pharmacies have standing orders to distribute naloxone to individuals at risk of an overdose, or their families, without a prescription. Uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage can also receive naloxone at no cost through New York's network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS treatment availability dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the OASAS website. Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state's Talk2Prevent website.

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