Mental Health Association OD (Overdose) Response Team Leader Allison Murphy recently did a Narcan training via Zoom with all Jamestown Community Learning Council (JCLC) home visitors. They had their picture taken together when Murphy delivered the free Narcan to JCLC’s office. From the left are Kerry Widen, Willow Fodor, Allison Murphy, Liz Whitherspoon, Krista Camarata, Amanda Telford, and Tracie Arthurs.

With opiate overdoses on the rise in Chautauqua County, the Mental Health Association wants to get Narcan training to as many residents as possible.

“You could save a life,” said Steven Cobb, MHA executive director, noting it looks like there have been 10 fatal overdoses in the county so far in 2021.

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a safe medication that has saved hundreds of lives in Chautauqua County. Narcan can be administered as a nasal spray by a first responder or friend, family member or bystander to someone who is experiencing an overdose of an opioid, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or heroin.

“We can do Narcan training with groups or individuals, in person or by Zoom, and the Narcan is free, as is the training,” said Cobb. “In addition to recent training of all Jamestown Community Learning Council home visitors, just this week (OD Response Team Leader) Allison Murphy trained 70 people at the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy through Zoom.”

Narcan training includes overdose education, how to administer Narcan in the event of an opioid overdose, and information about recovery and clinical services available in Chautauqua County.

Training objectives are to increase understanding and awareness of fatal overdoses related to opioids and the impact within the community, identify risk factors for an overdose, recognize an overdose, identify the five essential steps for first responders in the event of an overdose, and correctly use naloxone to save lives.

Training is free and open to businesses, work places, churches, social clubs, social service agencies, as well as all other groups and individuals. Presentations can be customized for groups or individuals and done in person or virtually. Narcan is given free to each participant. Narcan can be mailed to participants after virtual presentations.

To schedule a group or individual training or take an online training, call or text 661-9044, email narcan@MHAChautauqua.org, or visit mhachautauqua.org/naloxone.

Both the Erie County Department of Health and the MHA provide Narcan free to anyone requesting it. To obtain Narcan from Erie County, text 225-5473 with contact information and they will mail it. To receive it from the MHA, call or text 661-9044 with contact information.

With locations in both Jamestown and Dunkirk, the MHA is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

All Mental Health Association services are free.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua.