Saving lives in the Hudson Valley: Nonprofit teaches how to use Narcan to prevent overdose deaths
Giving people tools to save lives in the Hudson Valley and training on how to do it. That's the mission behind a local chapter of a nonprofit organization that says they are having to get creative to tackle an ongoing crisis.
Giving people tools to save lives in the Hudson Valley and training on how to do it. That's the mission behind a local chapter of a nonprofit organization that says they are having to get creative to tackle an ongoing crisis.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) in Westchester County is taking Narcan training to businesses around the area. Monday evening, they were here at the Hudson Grille in White Plains. That's where the staff was taught what to do when someone is experiencing an overdose. A big part of that is how to use Narcan, an opioid reversal drug.
"We have this crisis going on at the moment and a lot of it gets pushed under the mat, but I think people should know more about it," says Brian Mahon, owner of Hudson Grille in White Plains.
Data from the NCADD shows this kind of training is effective.
"If you have Narcan, you aren't condoning drug use, you are pushing safety. If you are giving a good message, you aren't just giving Narcan you are going to say, 'Listen, here is a kit, go get help, here is a card so we give consistent messages.' We are creating synergy in the community," says licensed social worker, Dennis Andrews.
Leaders with the NCADD have more of these training sessions planned in the future.
Mahon tells News 12, his restaurant is the first in the area to do this kind of training but he hopes others will do the same.
If you need help, there are a lot of resources available.
You can find more information here.
