Free Narcan trainings include Waterbury session on Thursday
March 15, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout The Central Vermont Prevention Coalition and Vermont CARES will hold the first of three free Opioid Overdose Prevention Trainings in Central Vermont in Waterbury on Thursday, March 16.
The class is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Steele Community Room at the municipal offices and online via Zoom.
The trainings are being offered in response to a record number of opioid overdose deaths across the state. According to the Vermont Department of Health, there were a total of 217 overdose deaths in Vermont in 2021, the largest number ever recorded. Last year through November the Health Department tracked 212 deaths, according to preliminary data.
The training session will discuss current drug trends in Vermont and attendees will learn the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. The session will cover what Narcan is and how to use it.
“In a recent survey, the community asked us for more education on how to use Narcan. We are thrilled to partner with Vermont CARES to bring these trainings to Central Vermont in response to that request,” said Olivia Leclerc with Central Vermont Prevention Coalition.
“Narcan saves lives, is easy to use, and is very safe,” said Eva Zaret, project coordinator for Central Vermont Prevention Coalition. “We urge anyone who is interested in learning more about Narcan and how to use it to come to one of these trainings.”
Participants will have time to ask questions and offer feedback on the session. They also will learn about the Central Vermont Prevention Coalition’s NaloxBox Project which provides kits with naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, for placement in public spaces to be used in an emergency.
In addition to the Waterbury session on Thursday, the coalition has two other training dates scheduled:
Monday, March 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library in the Hayes Room or online via Zoom.
Tuesday, April 11, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Aldrich Library in Barre or online via Zoom.
There is no charge to attend.
The Central Vermont Prevention Coalition is a collaboration of professional organizations and agencies working in substance use prevention, harm reduction and disease prevention, treatment, recovery, and restorative justice. Central Vermont Medical Center serves as the founding member of the coalition. Its mission is to create a stigma-free system of care in Central Vermont to prevent substance use and provide help to those with substance use disorders. It currently is running a three-year federally funded opioid response program, “Building Safe Harbor.”
Vermont CARES is a statewide nonprofit and member of the prevention coalition that provides harm reduction services, education and resources to Vermonters affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and substance use.