(BINGHAMTON, NY) Truth Pharm and Broome County Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) will be co-hosting a Narcan Training on Friday March 6th from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Broome County Public Library in honor of Black Balloon Day.
Black Balloon Day is a national and international event to bring awareness to overdose deaths and show support for families who have been affected by substance use disorders. Black Balloons will be handed out at the Broome County Public Library and community members are encouraged to hang them up outside their homes, workplace or anywhere they can bring awareness, encourage a conversation and educate others about substance use disorders and fatal overdoses.
Marissa Knapp, Broome County’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator, said, “A big part of my job is to not only decrease stigma surrounding substance use disorders but also start conversations and help community members understand that it’s never too soon or too late to get help. Being trained in Narcan is one small step that can ultimately save someone’s life.”
Narcan is a simple to use nasal spray medication used to reverse an overdose of opioids including heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, methadone and Vicodin. Participants at Friday’s event will learn about overdose prevention and how to correctly administer Narcan. Community members can also visit their local pharmacy and use the Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP). No prior prescription from a medical provider is needed. Call your pharmacy ahead to ensure availability.
Walk in hours are also available at the Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC) Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP), Truth Pharm and United Health Services on Mitchell Ave for a Narcan kit and education.
Alexis Pleus the Executive Director of Truth Pharm said, “Our entire community has suffered so much loss due to substance use disorders. We feel it is our duty to comfort our community, raise awareness and provide tools to reduce further impacts. We’re so glad to be coordinating with BOAC and the Broome County Public Library for this important endeavor.”
As always, we encourage those with a substance use disorder to practice harm reduction measures and to not use drugs alone, have a Narcan kit available and if you are on the site of an overdose to call 911.
