Narcan training happening across Saratoga County

SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Saratoga County offered free Narcan training to the public on Tuesday. Officials said the countywide training is necessary to address the increasing number of overdoses.

Galway EMS is one of the new locations the Saratoga County Department of Health held its annual Narcan training.

The department held Narcan training at 19 locations last year. This year, the county expanded  and offered it at 29 locations. 

Public Health Representative with the Saratoga County Department of Health Jacqueline Spang said the expansion was necessary with more overdoses.

“From this time last year there’s about a 19% increase,” said Spang. Last year 39 people died after overdosing, according to county data. This year that number is already at 30, so far.

“That information is all publicly available at “Save a life to.day”. This is our substance use surveillance dashboard, where the public can see the magnitude of drug overdoses happening throughout Saratoga County,” said Spang.

Free Narcan rescue kits are available not just on Tuesday but everyday at the Saratoga County Department of Health.

Participants learned how to identify when someone is experiencing an overdose and how to administer Narcan. Participants like Michael Newell, who is wilderness first responder certified.

“I have that because I spend a lot of time in the woods, I’m a licensed guide. The wilderness first responder is there for responding to incidents when you are hours away from an ambulance,” said Newell.

He has not administered Narcan before but said – after going through the training – all it takes is a peel, place, and a push to administer Narcan to someone who is unconscious.

“Because of the overdose situation going on around us I think it’s good to have this kind of training and certification because you never know when you’re going to run into it as you’re out and about,” said Newell.

Last year, Spang said, they trained 300 people. The goal is to train 500 this year with more locations handing out kits. 

All of this taking place ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Again, free Narcan rescue kits are available at the Saratoga County Department of Health all year round.