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Westchester County Hopes To Curb Overdoses With Narcan

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- County Executive Rob Astorino recently announced that the county plans to equip first responders with Narcan, a lifesaving drug that can revive overdose victims.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced plans to equip first responders with a drug that can save lives in the event of a heroin overdose.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced plans to equip first responders with a drug that can save lives in the event of a heroin overdose.

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When administered correctly, the nasal spray Narcan restores breathing that has been dangerously slowed by an overdose of heroin or a prescription painkiller. Narcan, the brand name for the drug Naloxone, works within a minute or two and gives emergency responders time to get an overdose victim to a hospital.

“This is the right thing to do,” Astorino said in a statement. “By providing Narcan to county police and other first responders, we can prevent bad choices from becoming fatal and give people a second chance.”

Those who are not emergency medical workers must have a doctor’s prescription and health department training to administer the drug.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler plans to write the prescriptions needed for the county to participate in the New York state Opioid Overdose Prevention Program.

“Many people don’t realize that it isn’t only longtime addicts who can overdose,” Amler said in a statement. “Young people who are experimenting and taking heroin or Oxycodone for the first time can die. This is a proven solution that can save lives and prevent family tragedies.”

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