As the heroin problem in the Hudson Valley continues to increase, officials are hosting free Narcan training. Everyone who comes will receive a free Narcan kit.

Narcan is a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose. It is simple to administer and is credited with saving many lives, including far too many residents in the Hudson Valley.

Narcan can’t be used to get high and is not addictive, official say.

Ulster County Legislator Craig Lopez along with Dr. Raymond Harvey from the Institute for Family Health and Marie Shultis, Director of Awareness Inc. planned the free Narcan training.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker Valley Firehouse located on 3679 Route 52 in Pine Bush.

“This free training is open to everyone from first responders to concerned citizens who may know someone involved in opioid use, or someone who just wants to be prepared,” Lopez said. “Sadly, almost every family in our communities has been somehow affected by the staggering rise in Heroin/Opioid use, abuse and overdose.”

A free Narcan kit will be given to anyone who attends.

“We hope and pray no one ever needs to use it, but having a trained person ready with a Narcan kit could easily mean the difference between life and death of a family member, friend or neighbor,” Lopez said.

Anyone interested in attending this free training is asked to RSVP via email to ucawarenessprogram@gmail.com.

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