By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) next month will partner with the Jamaica Community Adolescents Program (J-CAP; part of the Acacia Network) to a host a free Naloxone training and certification at the Shops at Atlas Park, located at 80-00 Cooper Ave. in Glendale, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, starting at 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond using Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan. Upon completion of the 20-minute course, participants will receive a certificate and a Naloxone kit.
Opioids include heroin, OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone, Percocet and Vicodin. Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. There were 80,411 reported opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2021, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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“Learning how to use Naloxone and having it on hand is a simple and effective way to potentially save the life of a friend or loved one,” Sen. Addabbo said.
When someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, witnesses only have 4-6 minutes to respond. It takes an average of 7-10 minutes for EMS to arrive. However, administering Naloxone at the onset of an overdose is a potentially lifesaving measure that may prevent death and allow more time for professional medical help to arrive.
Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
“Learning how to use Naloxone and having it on hand is a simple and effective way to potentially save the life of a friend or loved one,” Addabbo said. “I am proud to be working with J-CAP and the Shops at Atlas Park to bring this fast, simple, yet important program to the community.”
Call Addabbo’s district office at (718)738-1111 to RSVP.
