July 28, 2016Hempstead aims to save lives from heroin overdose by handing out Narcan kits

Town employees, EMTs and lifeguards receive training to battle drug epidemic

Town of Hempstead officials distributed 250 kits of Narcan – a drug overdose antidote – and provided training to EMTs and employees in other key departments on how to use it.

“Heroin is destroying our communities and we must take steps to stop the scourge of heroin,” urged Town Supervisor Anthony Santino.

Town lifeguards actually saved an overdose victim earlier this year.

“I mean, hopefully we’ll never have to use them, but it’s going to be super helpful in the long run. We’ll get them out to the younger guards and teach them to use it as well,” commented lifeguard Kalana Pannasch.

“Obviously, we would never want to use any of these kits if we didn’t have to. But the idea is that if an emergency does occur, we’re able respond right away and then save a life. So it’s a win-win situation that we have the availability to respond and make a difference when we can,” said Town of Hempstead Medical Director Dr. Dave Neubert.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more overdose deaths in 2014 than any previous year on record.