County to Offer Monthly Narcan Trainings
Poughkeepsie … In 2019, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) is expanding its training offerings to include monthly naloxone (Narcan) training sessions at the DBCH Training Room, located at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie. The training sessions are free and open to the public; registration is not required.
Led by DBCH staff, all Narcan training sessions will explain how naloxone works to reverse an overdose, what to do when an overdose is suspected, and how and when to administer the medication. Each attendee will receive hands-on training for administering naloxone, and a free Narcan kit to take with them at the end of the training. In 2018, DBCH staff trained approximately 1,800 individuals in the proper use of Narcan.
Monthly drop-in training sessions will be offered on the following dates from 4:30-5:30 p.m.:
January 23, 2019
February 27, 2019
March 27, 2019
April 24, 2019
May 22, 2019
June 26, 2019
July 24, 2019
August 28, 2019
September 25, 2019
October 23, 2019
November 27, 2019
December 18, 2019
In addition to the monthly training sessions, DBCH will continue to offer on-demand Narcan training at the County’s Stabilization Center 24 hours a day. Residents can walk into the Center, also located at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie, and receive both training in the proper administration of Narcan and, upon completion, a kit with the medication. No appointment is necessary to receive training at the Stabilization Center.
DBCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH said, “Every minute counts when an overdose is suspected. All residents, even those who do not believe they know someone who may experience an overdose, are strongly encouraged to learn how to give Narcan to save a life.”
DBCH staff is also available to provide training to community groups throughout the county. To learn more about opioid overdose prevention, or to inquire further about Narcan training opportunities, please contact Amanda Brennan, Opioid Education Coordinator, at (845) 486-2844 or abrennan@dutchessny.gov.
