New Castle County next week will host free public training in the lifesaving use of Narcan, which reverses overdoses of heroin and other opioid drugs.
Narcan training will follow a presentation of the Heroin Alert Program in a session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Cpl. Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building at 3601 N. DuPont Highway in the Minquadale area near New Castle.
“Heroin Alert and our informational site TheHeroinTrap.com – part of a year-long, $500,000 public awareness campaign -- are among our many local efforts fighting the national epidemic of opioid drug abuse, along with the needless deaths it causes, families it destroys and crime it spawns,” New Castle County Executive Thomas P. Gordon said.
“At this training program, we also will distribute information about HERO HELP, our new program in cooperation with the state Department of Justice and Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to offer treatment for eligible drug and alcohol addicts instead of arrest,” Gordon said. “We encourage residents to be part of the solution to this epidemic here in our home, by participating in this Narcan training, becoming more aware of the issue, sharing information about our county’s programs, getting addiction help if needed and supporting our world-class police department in its efforts.”
New Castle County Police have saved dozens of lives using nasal-spray naloxone since becoming Delaware’s first major law enforcement agency to train and equip officers 1½ years ago by Gordon’s authorization. Paramedics in New Castle County’s Emergency Medical Service, serving Wilmington and the rest of the county, also have saved scores of lives with Narcan.
The upcoming Heroin Alert session is being presented by the New Castle County Police, with Brandywine Counseling & Community Services giving certificates to those who complete its Narcan training at the program.
Advance registration is not required. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call (302) 395-8050 or visit TheHeroinTrap.com. Those interested in arranging presentations of The Heroin Alert program for schools or community groups, as well as those who want to learn more about HERO HELP including whether they are eligible to participate and get treatment, also may call (302) 395-8050.