MONTICELLO- Staff members of the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office are now better prepared to respond when every second counts.
This week, employees completed Opioid Overdose Recognition and Narcan Administration training led by Samantha Pipolo, health educator and opioid overdose prevention coordinator with the Sullivan County Department of Public Health.
For District Attorney Brian Conaty, the training carried a particularly personal message. Earlier this month, Conaty helped administer Narcan to an unresponsive individual.
“I’ve seen firsthand that Narcan saves lives,” Conaty said. “The overdose crisis touches every part of our community, including the work we do every day. Having our staff trained and equipped to respond means that if someone’s life is on the line, we can act.”
The training covered how opioids affect the body and how to recognize an overdose, including slow or stopped breathing, blue-tinged skin, pinpoint pupils, and unresponsiveness. Participants also learned how to administer Narcan, the brand name for the opioid-overdose reversal medication naloxone.
The session addressed the particular dangers of fentanyl, along with emerging concerns surrounding kratom and 7-OH, a synthetically altered kratom product with opioid-like effects that is sold over the counter at some gas stations and convenience stores.
Participants also reviewed protections under New York State’s Good Samaritan Law, which encourages people who witness an overdose to call 911 without fear of prosecution for certain drug-possession offenses. The training emphasized that reducing stigma and treating people with compassion can help those struggling with substance use disorder seek treatment.
At the conclusion of the session, each participant received an overdose response kit containing two 4-milligram doses of Narcan nasal spray, gloves, quick-reference instructions and a certification card.
“I thank Samantha Pipolo and the Department of Public Health for their partnership and their commitment to saving lives in Sullivan County,” Conaty said.
The Sullivan County Department of Public Health offers free Narcan training to community groups, businesses and organizations. Anyone who uses a Narcan kit is asked to report its use within 24 hours to to receive a free replacement kit.
To schedule a training session, contact Samantha Pipolo at .
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