Narcan training coming to RVC

On Monday, Nov. 9, the Rockville Centre School District will be hosting a Narcan training seminar to teach people how to administer the drug that can stop an opioid overdose.

Narcan is a special drug that negates the effects of opioids like Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and heroin. With the prevalence of heroin on Long Island, the training could help save someone’s life. The training is being run by Nassau County and sponsored by the school district’s Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

“It’s a great community service that offers an opportunity for people interested in learning more about preventing overdoses from opioid abuse and receive a kit that can save the life of a loved one,” said Dr. Noreen Leahy, the district’s assistant superintendent of pupil and personnel services, whose office oversees the Drug and Alcohol Taskforce.

The training is free, and everyone who attends will also receive a Narcan kit, which contains one dose of the drug. The training is simple enough that anyone can do it.

Heroin is a growing problem on Long Island. According to the Nassau County Police Department, 39 people have died this year from heroin overdoses — double the number of last year. Police officers have administered nearly 380 doses of Narcan to people this year.

In Rockville Centre, police have had six heroin overdoses. Four of those people were saved by Narcan. There were also six other overdoses by people taking too many prescription pain killers.

Leahy said she expects that people from outside Rockville Centre will come, because often times people who are worried about loved ones want to attend classes outside their communities.

“Oftentimes, the people that work in schools or emergency medical services or other jobs where they’re exposed to the public and they want to be educated, they might come,” she said. “And there are people that might have loved ones they’re concerned about, and they might come.”

The training will be held on Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the South Side High School auditorium, located at 140 Shepherd St. in Rockville Centre. Interested participants should RSVP to Eden Laikin at elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or by calling (516) 571-6105. For more information, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/overdose.