March 13, 2017

Bolinsky, Duff Host Overdose Reversal Workshop

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Photo: State Representative Will Duff and Mitch Bolinsky are pictured with overdose reversal medication

NEWTOWN – State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Will Duff (R-2) hosted an Opioid Overdose Information and Training session on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. The training was sponsored by the Newtown Prevention Council, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Newtown Parent Connection. It focused on the application of the overdose reversal drug naloxone, also known by its brand-name NARCAN. The deployment of naloxone temporarily reverses an opioid’s effect on the human brain.

“It’s important that resources and education be available to the public. Recognition of an overdose and quick action are critical to save a life, if needed,” state Rep. Bolinsky. “Given the increase of fatalities caused by the opioid epidemic, the added life-saving potential of having family members of at-risk individuals, friends and community members educated and able to administer naloxone can provide the second chance needed to get an addict, who is someone’s son, daughter or friend, into recovery.”

Rep. Will Duff said, “This was an excellent education on the use of Narcan. With opioid-related overdose deaths skyrocketing in Connecticut with the total number at 917 last year, it’s important to know what the signs are and when someone is needed to intervene during an overdose. The more the public knows the better.”

According to materials disseminated at the session, on average one to two people in Connecticut die every day as a result of an overdose. The two main groups at risk of an overdose are those who are prescribed high daily doses of painkillers, and those who misuse multiple abuse-prone prescription drugs.

Nationally, 61% of 47,055 deaths resulting from an overdose in 2014 were a direct result of opioid misuse or abuse.

More information on opioid abuse prevention can be found at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services website: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas.

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