County Offering Training on Opioid Overdose Response

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invites the public and County law enforcement personnel to free training sessions on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose. Residents who are at least 18 years old and concerned about a friend, family member or an associate with an opioid addiction are urged to attend. Opioids are prescription pain medications and heroin.

In Maryland, as well as jurisdictions across the United States, there has been an increase in the number of opioid overdose deaths. In response, HHS, in partnership with law enforcement, health care providers, community members and advocates, have developed an overdose death prevention plan to educate the public and area professionals, promote safe handling and disposal of addictive medications and teach lifesaving emergency action.

With funding from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, HHS will conduct three two-hour programs taught by a registered nurse and psychiatrist with more than 30 years of experience working with the County’s Outpatient Addiction Services.

The training dates are:

• Tuesday, April 29
  6 – 8 p.m.
  981 Rollins Avenue, Rockville
• Tuesday, May 20
  6 – 8 p.m.
  Executive Office Building
  101 Monroe Street, Rockville
• Wednesday, June 18
  1 – 3 p.m.
  401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville

Participants will learn how to identify an opioid, recognize an opioid overdose, respond to an opioid overdose and administer Naloxone, a prescription medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

There will also be tips on overdose prevention and information about local and national resources. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate for the use of Naloxone and a free Naloxone kit.

Registration is required to attend a training session. Call 240.777.4723 or 240.777.3969 to register.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than three business days prior to the event. If other aids or services are needed to participate in this activity, call Cynthia Mogel at 240.777.4723 or email Cynthia.mogel@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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