The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced that it will conduct a series of free naloxone training sessions in Montgomery County. During the sessions, participants will learn how to recognize, respond to, and reverse an opioid overdose using naloxone.

"Nearly every New York family has been touched in some way by the opioid epidemic. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free naloxone training sessions, carry naloxone and be trained," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the Heroin and Opioid Task Force. "The sessions are one of the many ways New York is working to combat the opioid epidemic to help those struggling with addiction and their families. Even if one life is saved, it is well worth our effort."

"Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and has saved thousands of lives across New York State," OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “These trainings are an effective way for us to teach people how to use this medication, and empower them to save lives in their communities.”

The dates, times, and locations of each training session are listed below:

• February 22, 6:00 PM Amsterdam High School: 140 Saratoga Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010 (Contact Skip Zimmerman at (518) 485-0757 to register)

• March 8, 6:30 PM Saint Johnsville Community House 16 Washington Street, Saint Johnsville, NY 13452 (Contact Jenna Mares at (518) 842-4202, ext. 3121 to register)

• March 13, 12:30 PM: Fulton-Montgomery Community College Student Union: 2805 New York 67, Johnstown, NY 12095 (Contact Jenna Mares at (518) 842-4202, ext. 3121 to register)

• March 15, 6:30 PM Fulton-Montgomery Community College Student Union: 2805 New York 67, Johnstown, NY 12095 (Contact Jenna Mares at (518) 842-4202, ext. 3121 to register)

• April 17, 6:30 PM: St. Ann Episcopal Church: 37 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010 (Contact Fr. Neal Longe at (518) 842-2363 to register)

All training sessions are free and open to the public, but reservations for each event are strongly encouraged. Participants must be at least 16 years of age.

OASAS is also seeking partners for similar training events in other areas. Communities and organizations looking to arrange additional trainings can email OpioidSTR.General@oasas.ny.gov or call (518) 485-0757.

New Yorkers are encouraged to carry naloxone to help when someone is experiencing an overdose. Under the New York State Department of Health Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP), individuals can access low-cost or no-cost naloxone at pharmacies across the state. At participating pharmacies, individuals with prescription coverage as part of their health insurance plan can receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance for the purchase of this lifesaving drug. Uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage can receive naloxone at no cost through New York's network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.

Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State's Talk2Prevent website.