In response to the growing problem of heroin overdose throughout the country and its community, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital's Youth Services Program in Binghamton, New York, partnered with the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP) to hold free overdose prevention training sessions for members of the community including professionals, community members and concerned family members who may come in contact with someone who is using an opiate or opioid. Opioids include heroine, morphine, and prescription medications such as oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin.
Participants learn about overdose prevention and are trained in how to administer naloxone, a medication used in opioid overdoses to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally. Naloxone is only effective if a person has opioids in their system and has no effect if opioids are absent. Although it is normally administered by emergency response personnel or police officers, naloxone can be administered by almost anyone, with minimal training. All participants are given a free "rescue kit," which includes either the intranasal or intramuscular naloxone.
"I'm so pleased with this program and I think it's an amazing service we've been able to offer to the community," said Erin Monroe, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Lourdes Youth Services. "I have received phone calls from people thanking me for providing this training free to the public and several parents and family members of addicts thanking me because they now feel they have a tool that they can use to save a loved one's life."
Four sessions have been held so far, reaching more than 160 participants, including emergency personnel, counselors, professionals, and family and friends of addicts. Lourdes Youth Services continues to receive requests for additional training sessions.
