Community Attends Senator Gipson and Cape Heroin Prevention Panel and Narcan Training

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2014
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

COMMUNITY ATTENDS SENATOR GIPSON AND CAPE HEROIN PREVENTION PANEL AND NARCAN TRAINING

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Over 200 community members attended a Heroin Prevention Panel and Narcan Training hosted by New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) and the Council on Addiction Prevention & Education of Dutchess County, Inc. (CAPE) and sponsored by Health Quest last evening, June 26, 2014, at Dutchess Community College’s James & Betty Hall Theatre.

“Ensuring that New York State takes every possible action to combat heroin and opioid abuse in our communities has been a top priority during my first term,” said Senator Gipson. “The advocacy and work of CAPE has been an important partner in fighting for action in the State Senate. I’m proud to continue to work with CAPE and hold this important panel and training as part of our shared commitment to improving the health and future of our families, community and state. I also want to thank Health Quest for their support of this important event and Dutchess County Community College for being a wonderful host.”

Elaine Trumpetto, M.A., Executive Director of CAPE stated, “We must continue to work together as an entire community to confront this serious issue in a caring, compassionate, competent, collaborative and strategic way. I deeply thank Senator Gipson for his unyielding support and advocacy in helping us in our shared efforts. We are also grateful for the participants and the generous support of Health Quest for helping make this event such a success.

Luke McGuiness, President and CEO of Health Quest stated, “Health Quest is proud to support such an important and successful event as part of our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community. We commend Senator Gipson and CAPE for their work to address the serious issue of heroin and opioid addiction.”

The event featured a panel discussion on heroin and opioid abuse prevention with parents and persons in recovery along with Mario Malvarosa, MD, Addictions Specialist and Katrina Williams, Addictions Treatment Provider, Lexington Center for Recovery. William Matthew, RPA-C, Clinical Director, will provide overdose prevention training, sponsored by Health Quest, which meets New York State Department of Health requirements and includes recognition of an opioid overdose, administration of Narcan and steps to take until EMS arrives. Participants in the training received a certificate of completion and an emergency resuscitation kit that includes Narcan.

Senator Gipson recently announced that 14 bills he co-sponsored aimed at combating heroin abuse passed State Senate, including legislation that takes important steps towards ensuring that private sector insurance carriers in New York provide adequate coverage for addiction treatment. CAPE is currently the only licensed NYS OASAS substance abuse prevention and education provider in Dutchess County.

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