BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force is hosting a series of free Narcan training sessions, starting this weekend.
The series is in response to a surge in the number of opioid overdose deaths that the county says was largely spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far in 2021, the county has confirmed 165 opioid-related overdose deaths, with another 120 cases pending; the total number of overdose deaths in 2020 was 246.
The last two years reversed the gains made in fighting the opioid epidemic in the years from 2016 through 2019, during which overdose deaths were nearly cut in half.
The county's upcoming training sessions will be held both virtually and in person to accommodate people's needs. Anyone who completes the training sessions will receive a free Narcan kit.
All in-person sessions will be held at the Erie County Fire Training Academy located at 3359 Broadway, Suite #2, Buffalo, NY 14227.
Below is a list of the dates the county is holding training sessions:
Virtual Sesssions
- December 2021
- Saturday, December 11, 2021 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 14, 2021 6:00 p.m.
- January 2022
- Thursday, January 20, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 22, 2022 9:00 a.m.
- February 2022
- Saturday, February 12, 2022 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday, February 17, 2022 6:00 p.m.
In-Person Sessions
- December 2021
- Saturday, December 18, 2021 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 21, 2021 6:00 p.m.
- January 2022
- Thursday, January 13, 2022 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 29, 2022 9:00 a.m.
- February 2022
- Thursday, February 10, 2022 6:00 p.m.
You can register for the county's Narcan training sessions here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, the Erie County Department of Health has a number of resources available, including the following three hotlines:
- Text for Narcan: 716-225-5473
- Request an Emergency Narcan Box for your business: 716-858-7695
- Buffalo & Erie County Addiction Hotline: 716-831-7007
