The state of New York is stepping up its fight against the opioid epidemic by offering free tutorials on using a drug that can reverse an overdose.
Officials at the New York State Fair announced Tuesday there will be Narcan training offered later this month.
According to a news release, the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) will have the free training in its booth at the fair on several days.
"Addiction is a disease that affects members of every community, regardless of age, gender, or other factors, and it is important that people know that help is available, and recovery is possible," OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. "New York State is working tirelessly to end the stigma against addiction and treatment, and get people access to the help they need to rebuild their lives."
Narcan is an emergency-use drug that is administered to people who have overdosed. It works within minutes to reverse the symptoms of an overdose before the patient dies.
More than 42,000 people died of opioid overdoses in 2016, and the number is expected to be higher in 2017 when those figures are released.
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