Free Naloxone Training Offered By Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — In an effort to combat overdose deaths from the ongoing opioid epidemic, Montgomery County is offering free training on the use of Naloxone, a prescription medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Residents concerned about a friend or family member with an opioid addiction can attend this free training to learn about reducing unintentional and life-threatening opioid overdoses, the County said.

The county has seen a 145 percent increase in the number of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses in the last four years, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said at a January meeting.

Montgomery County Police responded to 57 non-fatal overdoses and 69 fatal overdoses in 2017, compared to 52 non-fatal and 40 fatal overdoses in 2014.

Tips on overdose prevention and resources detailing local and national resources will be provided.

See Related:

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• 22 Opiate Dealers Indicted In Annapolis Raid: Police
• 'I Really Like Getting High': Anne Arundel Heroin User

Participants who complete the training will receive a free Naloxone kit.

The two-hour training will be offered:

• Tuesday, June 5 1 to 3 p.m. at the Department of Health and Human Services, 401 Hungerford Drive, 1st floor conference room, Rockville.
• Tuesday, June 12 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Westfield South Building, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, 7th floor conference room, Wheaton.
• Tuesday, June 26 5 to 7 p.m. at the Department of Health and Human Services, 401 Hungerford Drive, 1st floor conference room, Rockville.

The rate of fatal drug and alcohol overdoses in the state continues at an epidemic pace, say state officials, who urged users to get into treatment before it's too late.

The Maryland Department of Health in late October released data for fatal overdoses for the second quarter of 2017, and the numbers show that opioid-related overdose deaths continue to skyrocket in the state.

"My hope, my prayer is that a year from now, two years from now by 2020, is that we're not dealing with the level of problems we have," Manger said at the meeting.

The training is free, but registration is required. Call Erin Fashion at 240-777-4538 or Tiffaney Hall at 240-777-4704 to register.

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