By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) last Wednesday hosted the fourth in a series of Naloxone (Narcan) training events in partnership with Acacia Network, an organization affiliated with J-CAP.
Over 60 people attended the session, which was held at AKAL Care – Social Adult Day in South Ozone Park with support from the Lions Club of Richmond Hill – South Ozone Park. Participants learned 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 course, participants received a certificate and a Naloxone kit.
“It is crucial for all members of our community to learn how to administer Naloxone. In the event of an opioid overdose, being equipped with this knowledge and tool can mean the difference between life and death,” Addabbo said. “By empowering ourselves with this information and skill, we can actively contribute to saving lives and combating the devastating impact of opioid addiction in our society.”
The training was led by Acacia Network representatives: Luis Laboy, the senior administrator of residential programs, and Dr. David Collymore, the chief medical officer. They were joined by Eduardo Santiago, a certified recovery peer advocate, who helped demonstrate how to administer Naloxone to someone in a lying down position, and Arturo Hernandez, an outreach coordinator.
Laboy said signs of an opioid overdose include when a person stops breathing and their lips and fingertips start to turn blue. The first step is to check for responsiveness by rubbing one’s knuckles up and down the sternum of the victim. If there is no response 911 should be called immediately; inform them that there is an unresponsive person and to send help.
Laboy emphasized that it is important to call 911 immediately because Naloxone only works for 30 to 90 minutes. It is a nasal spray administered by spraying the substance into one of the victim’s nostrils while pushing down on the device’s red plunger. The person should be revived right away but if there is no response after 60 seconds, a second dose should be administered.
Laboy said after the person gains consciousness they may want to leave or get high again, however he stressed the importance of having the person wait to get medical attention because of Naloxone’s temporary activation time.
In addition, if the person takes too many opioids again after their episode they can overdose again. Laboy advised that if someone is going to take opioids that they not be alone. They should have Naloxone on them or have a friend with them that carries Naloxone just in case of an accidental overdose.
In 2022, 3,026 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose, a 12-percent increase from 2021 (2,696 deaths), and the highest number since reporting began in 2000, according to a data brief by the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Opioids include OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone, and Vicodin. Naloxone can also reverse overdoses from street drugs like heroin. Naloxone is an antidote for opioid overdoses, and it can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids by binding to the same receptors in the brain. The nasal spray form of naloxone is a convenient and easy-to-use method of administration.
