Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has wrapped up his fourth Naloxone/Narcan training series this summer with a session in South Ozone Park.
The Queens lawmaker hosted the final training session this season for the life-saving drug on Wednesday, July 31, at the Akal Care Social Adult Day Care, with over 60 participants in attendance.
As part of the training, attendees learn how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer Naloxone, better known as the brand name Narcan, to help potentially save lives.
Addabbo underscored the value of learning how to use Naloxone and its importance in combating the larger issue of opioid use.
“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 Acacia Network, one of the leading social services providers in the city, partnered with The Queens Village Committee for Mental Health for J-CAP (Jamaica Community Adolescents Program) and worked with Addabbo to provide Naloxone training throughout Queens.
Members from the Lions Club of Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park participated in the South Ozone Park event and were equally attentive to the benefits of the life-saving drug.
“The Lions Club of Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park is deeply committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of our community. Our collaboration with Senator Addabbo and the Acacia Network for this Naloxone training is a testament to that commitment,” said Lions Club District Governor of Brooklyn and Queens Romeo Hall. “We believe that by educating individuals on how to respond to opioid overdoses, we are equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to save lives.”
Acacia Network representatives Luis Laboy, the senior administrator of residential programs, and Dr. David Collymore, the chief medical officer, were joined by Eduardo Santiago, a certified recovery peer advocate, who demonstrated how to administer Naloxone to someone in distress. Arturo Hernandez, an outreach coordinator, also joined them.
Experts say signs of an opioid overdose include stopped breathing, blue lips and blue fingertips. It is vital to check for responsiveness by rubbing your knuckles up and down the person’s sternum to initiate a pain response and then immediately call 911.
Cases of opioid overdose are commonly seen in people who take or have contact with OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone and Vicodin. Naloxone/Narcan is called a life-saving drug because it can counteract and temporarily reverse the effects of a drug overdose.
Naloxone is administered in a nasal spray form, which is convenient and easy to use. Attending and completing the training session included receiving a Naloxone kit to take home and a certificate of completion.
In all cases of opioid overdose, experts say to call 911 immediately, regardless of the effects of Naloxone. Additional doses of the antidote can be administered if a person does not respond to the first dose, but all cases require professional medical evaluation.
Addabbo presented the two Acacia reps, Laboy and Collymore, with citations to thank them for their continued partnership in these trainings. The duo praised Addabbo’s continued leadership in return.
Senator Addabbo plans to continue offering Naloxone/Narcan training sessions throughout his district this fall.
