Thirty-three fatalities occurred in the two-year period of 2012 and 2013, up from 15 in 2010 and 2011.
These statistics are behind the recent launch of a NYS-approved opioid overdose prevention program by the Putnam County Department of Health. The department joins dozens of other counties in the state adopting this public health intervention that makes use of the antidote drug naloxone, essentially reversing the overdose.
“This epidemic has made a heartbreaking mark on families, friends and our local communities,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Allen Beals, “and we’re responding to County Executive MaryEllen Odell’s call for action in the war on addiction.”
Odell made this a prime focus in her recent 2015 Putnam County budget address, introducing a campaign of education and awareness to combat the problem and challenging all agencies, public and private, to collaborate and address the issue.
Naloxone, which goes under the trade name Narcan, blocks opioids in the nervous system for 30 to 90 minutes, and provides enough time for transport to an emergency room. The drug will be administered intranasally, (although it is also available as an injectable drug).
The county Health Department is providing the medication free of charge to law enforcement and other first responders once they complete the proper training.
“Of course, this is not a solution to the problem, but it will save lives,” Beals said.
Further information on the opioid overdose prevention program is available at: www.health.ny.gov and search “opioid overdose prevention.”
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