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Naloxone is a highly effective antidote that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will host a free opioid overdose-reversal drug training session next month at the Queens Library in Howard Beach, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) recently announced.
The conference, which is set for Thursday, May 17, at 6 p.m., will teach participants how to recognize, respond to, and reverse an opioid overdose using the medication Naloxone, an “opioid antagonist” that, according to the Mayo Clinic, will temporarily reverse the effects of prescription painkillers and heroin.
Some signs and symptoms of an opioid emergency, as noted by the clinic, are: breathing problems (which can range from slow or shallow breathing to no breathing), extreme sleepiness, slow heartbeat, or not being able to respond, and a pinpoint pupil in a person who is difficult to awaken.
“To see families lose loved ones to addiction is heartbreaking,” Pheffer Amato said. “This session can give people the necessary knowledge and training that can help save lives.”
The training session is free and open to the public. Registration for the event is required. Participants must be at least 16 years of age. For more information or to register, contact Pheffer Amato’s office at (718) 945-9550 or amatos@nyassembly.gov.
The library is located at 92-06 156th Ave., Howard Beach.
