The Buffalo Police Department is taking extra steps toward battling the heroin epidemic in Western New York.
The department will be holding four free community Narcan training sessions starting on Wednesday. The sessions will focus on how to give someone the life-saving drug. Everyone who attends will get a free Narcan kit.
In the first 10 days of March, there were 10 overdose deaths in the City of Buffalo, with at least 25 deaths in the city since the beginning of the year. "As the epidemic of heroin and opioid drug drug overdose deaths continues in our city, our region and cities across the country, we believe it's time to train and equip community members to aid in the rescue effort." said Buffalo Police Department Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
The free Narcan training sessions will be held at the following locations:
- Wednesday March, 16th at 6 p.m. - True Bethel Baptist Church, East Ferry St.
- Saturday, April 2, 2 p.m. - New Testament Cathedral, Kensington Ave.
- Saturday, April 2, 10:30 a.m. - Valley Community Center, Leddy St.
- Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m. - St. Joseph University Parish
The CDC is also making changes to address the epidemic by changing guidelines doctor must follow when prescribing opioids.
According to a report in the Business Indiser the CDC now wants doctors to use other treatment methods for chronic pain first.
Doctors are also being advised to prescribe opioids when the relief of pain outweighs the risk of addiction and they must review pain management plans every three months.
