Victim of Heroin Addiction Asks Residents to Help Save Lives

Senator Carlucci joined Raymond Quinones of New City, who is recovering from heroin addiction, and the Rockland Paramedic Services to talk about the importance of the overdose antidote Narcan for victims of Heroin and Opioid abuse and conduct a demonstration on how the medication works. 

Within a span of six months, Raymond Quinones overdosed on heroin four times. Each time, he was revived by friends and paramedics by Narcan.

Now 90 days sober, Quinones is studying psychology in college and is teaming up with Senator Carlucci increase access to Narcan to help others.

"Without it, I would have been dead four times over” said Raymond Quinones. “Making Narcan more widely available will prevent many deaths in Rockland Westchester Counties, where heroin is a really big problem."

Today Raymond and Senator Carlucci announced a training session to teach residents how to administer Narcan. The session will be held Oct. 6 at the Valley Cottage Library and will be free and open to the public. Each participant will receive a resuscitation kit that includes Narcan.

Senator David Carlucci said, “Now is the time to make sure Narcan, the proven life saving antidote to heroin and opioid overdose, is more widely distributed to people in need. Although this is one piece of the puzzle, we need to get Narcan into as many hands as possible to help save lives.”