Rockville Centre gets Narcan training
Rockville Centre residents learned how to save a life by learning how to use Narcan, which can reverse opioid overdoses.
About 80 people were trained at the event, which was hosted by the Vineyard Church on Merrick Road. Each person left with a Narcan kit and certification in using it. Local groups that help substance abusers and their families set up tables in the back of the church.
David Hymowitz, of the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, led the demonstration. The most important thing to do during a suspected overdose, he emphasized, is to call 911 right away. “Even if you’re high, even if you’re getting high, you call 911 to save someone’s life? You’re not going to get in trouble,” he said. “This also applies to if you’re underage and you’re drinking.”
Hymowitz also said that older people die from overdoses as much as younger people do because they use medications for their health conditions and can forget how many pills they took when they are in pain. Others may also target the medicine cabinets of older people for painkillers and prescription drugs, which is why it is important to dispose of unused medications through programs at police stations. “Check the medicine cabinet,” Hymowitz said. “Go to your relatives. Get this stuff out of their houses. If they don’t need it anymore and its expired, let’s not make it available to people. Make sense?”
Ryan Albrecht, who grew up in Rockville Centre, spoke about his years battling addiction and eventual recovery. He started smoking and drinking when he was 12, after his father died. Eventually, he was skipping lunch to save money for drugs. This progressed, with recoveries and relapses, until he went completely off all drugs 16 months ago. “Addicts are a difficult group of people to be friends with, to care for, to love,” he said. “Lots and lots of chances were given, lots and lots of frustration. I had like 20 chances. But I’m here, I’m alive.” He is now 34.
Dan W., of Families in Support of Treatment (FIST), spoke about his own struggles ever since he learned that his son is an addict. He held up a piece of paper that was filled on both sides with everything he had done to help. “On the other side is the things that worked,” he said. “Nothing. So my wife and I decided after each subsequent relapse that the only thing we could do was to set healthy boundaries for my son when he’s using.”
Eden Laikin, Nassau County’s director of governmental research, said that 210 people died of an overdose in the county last year, and the South Shore makes up one-third of all deaths in that area. “It’s going down, but it’s still too much,” she said. “One is too many.”
The next county-sponsored Narcan training is on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Island Park Library on 176 Long Beach Road. Anyone can attend, but seating is limited. Residents can pre-register either by emailing elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov or by calling (516) 571-6105.
