Press Release

Senator Amedore, Congressman Gibson, and County Executive Matt Ossenfort to host community narcan training

SENATOR AMEDORE, CONGRESSMAN GIBSON, AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE MATT OSSENFORT TO HOST COMMUNITY NARCAN TRAINING

Senator George Amedore, Congressman Chris Gibson, and Montgomery County Executive Matt Ossenfort will partner with Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services to host a free community NARCAN training on Monday, August 24^th at 6 p.m., at the Canajoharie High School, 136 Scholastic Way in Canajoharie.

A presentation on opiate overdose prevention and response will be given by representatives from Catholic Charities' Project Safe Point program. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose, understand the risk factors associated with overdose, and learn how to reverse the effects of an overdose with the drug naloxone (narcan). Trained attendees will be given a kit containing naloxone.

"We need to do everything we can to combat the heroin epidemic that is devastating our communities, including ensuring as many people as possible are trained and prepared to help if a family member, friend, or loved one is overdosing. A dose of narcan can be the difference between life and death for those who are battling a heroin or opiate addiction. I want to thank Catholic Charities Care Coordination Services, County Executive Ossenfort, and Congressman Gibson for partnering with my office on this important community event," said Senator George Amedore.

"The heroin epidemic has reached record levels of overdoses, related criminal activity, healthcare costs, and other damaging effects on our communities and families," said Congressman Gibson. "As a federal lawmaker and as a parent, I am proud to partner with educators and public safety officials from throughout our region to spread awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse and what we can do to protect public health. I want to thank Senator Amedore, County Executive Ossenfort, and Catholic Charities for bringing people together for this important program."

"I encourage residents to take advantage of this educational training because this is an epidemic that every community is facing and we, at the county, are trying to combat it on all fronts," Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort said. "Not only does the use of opiates wreak havoc on the lives of those that use them, but it leads to loss of employment, an increase in homelessness, as well as a rise in our foster care caseload. Widespread training on the use of narcan will not only save lives, but it is easily administered and highly effective in reducing costly emergency medical interventions. Having Congressman Gibson, Senator Amedore and Catholic Charities partner with the county to provide this education for residents is putting a priority on the safety of our citizens and I would like to personally thank them for that."

The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Senator Amedore's office at (518) 853-3401 or amedore@nysenate.gov if you plan on attending.