NORTH READING – Chief Michael Murphy is pleased to announce that the North Reading Police Department and Community Impact Team will offer community trainings on the use of opioid reversal medication.
The opioid reversal medication Naloxone, better known by it’s brand name, Narcan, is used on individuals suffering from an overdose. In 2021, North Reading experienced 21 overdoses, four fatal and 17 non-fatal. This year, the town has experienced 15 overdoses, one fatal and 14 non-fatal.
North Reading Police Department will offer free one-hour training sessions held at the department training room, 152 Park St., on the following dates:
- Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 13 at 12 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m.
Training will include learning the signs of an overdose, how to administer Naloxone, how and where to access Naloxone, Good Samaritan laws, accessing treatment and mental health services, and how to offer help to a loved one.
“Whether or not Naloxone is immediately available continues to be the main factor in whether a person survives an opioid overdose. It is important that we educate the public on how to use it,” said Drug-Free Community Impact Director Amy Luckiewicz. “We also need to educate people on the signs of an opioid overdose so that Naloxone can be given quickly.”
“We want to give the community the resources to be prepared when someone is suffering from an overdose,” said Chief Murphy. “Overdoses are a life and death situation, and we encourage everyone to attend these sessions to learn how to administer opioid reversal medication.”
Trainings are not representative of any certification nor professional level medical instruction.
To register for a training session, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on EVENTS or contact Director Luckiewicz at coalition@northereadingma.gov or (978) 357-5054.
What is an Overdose?
An overdose is an unintended emergency that requires urgent medical response. It may or may not result in death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that symptoms of an opioid-related overdose include slow breathing, pinpoint pupils, losing consciousness, choking, or gurgling sounds, and cold or clammy skin.
People should also be aware that even if Naloxone is administered, people still need to seek urgent professional care by calling 911 as a secondary overdose can occur and there may be additional concerns.
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