Overdose Prevention and Response Training Open to First Responders, Family

 

As elaborated on in a working group report released by U.S. Attorney David Hickton and other regional leaders, parents and individuals in recovery in eight counties – such as Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Executive Director Kami Anderson – earlier this year, Armstrong County and others in Southwestern Pennsylvania have seen a rising drug problem in the past decade –including in drug overdose deaths.

 

One of those recommendations to curb these statistics was to provide more public awareness and education, and the AICDAC will start that today after other legislation was passed effective last week.

 

In response to the public outcry for help with the opiate epidemic, the General Assembly passed Act 139 –effective November 29 -, which included a Good Samaritan provision that provides immunity from arrest for reporting an overdose, as well as allowing for greatly-increased access to the overdose antidote medication, naloxone, also known as Narcan.

The Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission and the Armstrong-Indiana Drug Free Communities Coalition are hosting an Overdose Prevention and Response Training from 1-2:30PM today - Wednesday, December 3 - at the Elderton Towne Hall (located along US Route 422 in Elderton) and will provide free access to the overdose antidote medication to individuals that may come in contact with persons of such substance-use disorders.

Family members and first-responders are of the many included in this list that could save people’s lives and prevent overdose deaths.

The training will be provided by Prevention Point Pittsburgh Overdose Prevention Project Coordinator Alice Bell. According to the organization’s website, the Overdose Prevention Project (ODP) was started in 2002 in response to the alarming increase in overdose deaths in Allegheny County and ongoing training programs have been “well-received,” by more than 6,500 individuals, including about 4,700 inmates in the County Jail.

The purpose of this training will be to increase access to naloxone for individuals that may come in contact with persons with opiate-related substance use disorders in an effort to prevent overdose deaths. Naloxone is a safe, effective medication that can save a life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. (Opioids are medicines for pain that include Vicodin, Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet, Opana, Methadone, and Fentanyl. Heroin is also an opioid.)

Deputy Director Carrie Bence said this will be the first training in Armstrong County.

As part of our efforts to support Act 139, the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission is educating the community on the benefits of having access to the life-saving medication, naloxone, and how to administer it if needed.