Tonight: Councilman Gentile To Hold Free Narcan Seminar

Councilman Vincent Gentile wants more people trained in administering a new drug that can intercept a heroin or oxycodone overdose.

With painkiller abuse and accidental overdoses on the rise, including in Southern Brooklyn and Staten Island, Gentile will hold a free seminar this week to educate people on Naloxone – commonly known as Narcan – which counters the effects of an opioid overdose. The drug, when injected intravenously or in mist-form via nasal passage, can revive victims from an accidental overdose, buying them enough time to be transported to a hospital.

The event will be held on Wednesday, January 28, at 7pm, at McKinley Junior High School, located at 7301 Fort Hamilton Parkway.

Attendees will learn about Narcan, and how to prevent, recognize, and respond to an overdose. Little training is required to safely administer Narcan. The drug saves lives and emergency responders find it easier to use than the EpiPens, which have long been in use, saving lives by counteracting allergic reactions.

In April of last year, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman launched an initiative to equip and train every state and local police officer in New York with a Narcan kit – an effort Gentile supported. So far, the city has spent $1.2 million on 19,500 doses of Naloxone to aid police officer across the city.

All attendees will learn how to use the Narcan kit and receive an ID card upon completion of the training. There are still plenty of spots available – call 718-748-5200 to RSVP.