The Minisink Hook & Ladder Co. is proud to announce our certification as a registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Program by the New York State Department of Health!

Participants will receive training on the use of Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, to reverse an overdose on opiods, such as heroin or narcotic pain medications. The training lasts approximately 45 minutes and teaches students how to recognize and react to an overdose on opiods, including administration of Narcan. Students who complete the training will receive a kit containing two doses of Narcan. The course and kits are all provided free of charge.

Opioids such as heroin and narcotic pain medications act as depressants on the central nervous system. An overdose of opiods results in a lower breathing rate, eventually causing cardiac arrest and death. Naloxone works by blocking the receptors that the opiate bonds to, restoring respiratory drive. If given correctly, in conjuction with rescue breathing and CPR if needed, the use of Naloxone can reverse the overdose and save lives.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2015.

The clinical director for the program is Dr. Pamela Murphy of Orange Regional Medical Center.

To register for one of our Opioid Overdose Rescue & Naloxone courses, please click here.

For more information on this program, or to request a private training for your group or organization, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.