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Community Corner

TOB to Host Narcan Training Event for Int. Overdose Awareness Day

August 24, 2021 Training to Provide Narcan Kits and Know-How to Help Save Lives of Those Struggling with Addiction

Lindenhurst, NY (August 24, 2021)— On August 31, 2021, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Town of Babylon (TOB) will partner with Beacon Family Wellness Center and South Oaks Hospital to host a free Narcan training event to help combat a rise in overdose cases in the Town and in Suffolk County. In the United States, there has been a 30 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020—with a 12 percent increase in Suffolk County alone. This training provides family members, friends or anyone interested in receiving training to help support those who struggle with addiction with free Narcan kits as well as how to use them to stop a potentially life-threatening overdose.

"It is as important as ever for the Town to be a resource for all of its residents—whether they or someone they love is struggling with addiction," said Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer. "The road to recovery is challenging and those with drug dependence require the proper support systems to help free them from addiction. Preventing a potential overdose emergency with proper use of a Narcan kit can be the difference in saving a life. We hope all those in need can take advantage of learning how to use these kits to save lives."
The event will be held at 7:00pm on August 31at Babylon Town Hall located at 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY and provide all in attendance with the knowledge to properly use the Narcan kit on someone who has overdosed. The training will be taught by Dr. Marissa Abram, Psychiatric NP at the Beacon Family Wellness Center, who is also an assistant professor and director of the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program at Adelphi University. At the event, there will also be community members sharing stories of how the training would have saved their loved one as well as stories of how the training has saved many lives.

Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a nasal spray medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose. Naloxone can block an opioid's effects on the brain and can also restore breathing to those experiencing an overdose. Narcan is also the first FDA approved nasal spray medication designed to treat opioid overdose victims.
For those wishing to attend, they are asked to register here or they can call the Beacon Family Wellness Center at 631-422-7676.

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