Cheryll Moore, center, is flanked by her two daughters, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, left, and Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, at right. 

ECDOH Medical Care Administrator is Driving Force Behind Naloxone (Narcan) Training Program

ERIE COUNTY, NY—Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, Department of Health personnel, and members of law enforcement to honor Cheryll Moore, a Medical Care Administrator in the Department who created and administers the department’s growing Opioid Overdose Recognition and naloxone (Narcan®) Training and Distribution Program.

Moore’s dedication and focus on training law enforcement, first responders, and community members in the use of intranasal naloxone has put this life-saving knowledge and drug in the hands of approximately 5,000 people in Erie County. Additionally, naloxone program policies and procedures developed here in Erie County are being shared with other counties throughout New York State as they also confront the epidemic of opioid abuse.

“Cheryll has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her commitment to the naloxone training program, and her efforts are saving lives both here in Erie County and even in surrounding counties,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Cheryll not only trains people on the use of naloxone, but also on the signs of addiction and how to better understand opioid addiction and dependence. Thanks to her and the Department of Health, Erie County is leading the way statewide in demonstrating how to provide this critical training to the community.”

“Time is of the essence when a person has overdosed on opioids. The more trained individuals with naloxone kits that are in the community, the more lives will be saved,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. “Fatal overdoses have occurred this year in urban, suburban, and rural Erie County communities, both in high-income and in lower-income areas. First responders, especially in more rural areas, cannot always reach a victim in time. By training individuals to recognize the signs of a possible overdose, call 911, and then administer the naloxone in their possession, we can give these individuals a second chance to battle their addiction.”

Moore initiated outreach and trainings on the use of naloxone in June 2014. Since then, over 2,500 law enforcement personnel and 506 First Responders (firefighters and EMS personnel) have been trained in its use, along with nearly 1,800 members of the community. From April – June 2015 alone 522 law enforcement personnel received naloxone training along with 150 firefighters, 39 EMS personnel, and 913 community members. In addition, 1,679 intranasal naloxone kits were distributed in that time.

Naloxone is a benign drug. If administered when an individual is not experiencing an opioid overdose, no harm will come to the patient.  In addition, the New York State Good Samaritan Law protects both an overdose victim and those who summon help from . The New York State Department of Health provides the naloxone kits at no charge for this lifesaving program.

The schedule of upcoming Opioid Overdose Recognition and Naloxone Use trainings may be found on the ECDOH website: www.erie.gov/health.

For more information:

On Naloxone trainings, call (716) 858-7690.

On the Erie County Department of Health, visit: www.erie.gov/health

On the New York State Department of Health, visit: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/providers/prevention/harm_reduction/opioidprevention/regulations.htm