More than 220 people attended the second NARCAN training co-hosted by Student Affairs Health Education team and the Department of Sociology, breaking a record for Suffolk County. The 45-minute training session was held October 3 in Frey Hall.
NARCAN, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can be used to block the effects of opioids. Properly administered, it can be a lifesaver in cases of opioid overdose.
Thanks to these training sessions, more than 400 Stony Brook students have been NARCAN-trained and provided with NARCAN Overdose Rescue Kits.
“Stony Brook is proud to support efforts to train our students and community on how to use NARCAN in the event of a heroin overdose,” said Richard Gatteau, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “It is a wonderful partnership with our Student Affairs Health Education team and University Police to help save lives.”
Allison Van Cott, an intern for the Chill Peer Education Program, pitched the idea of a NARCAN training earlier this year after her brother, Steve, died of an accidental overdose. Van Cott approached Dr. Cathy Marrone, a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in the sociology department, last April while she was a student in her class, Sociology of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Collaborating with her Chill Program Coordinator, Kathleen Valerio, Dr. Marrone set aside class time to have the class trained.
University Police Department also hosts their own NARCAN training. Students can request one on their webpage. Upon completion, students will receive a NARCAN kit.
“This past Thursday’s training, and future mass NARCAN trainings named in honor of my brother Steven Robert Van Cott, is such a wonderful tribute to his memory, and so meaningful to me and my family,” Van Cott said.
Kathleen Valerio, health educator and Chill Peer Education Program coordinator, who helped organize the event, was honored to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the need to receive Narcan training. She was not surprised to observe such positive student engagement and interest.
“With just these two collaborations, supported by Dr. Marrone, over 600 NARCAN doses are now available to be administered by over 440 students trained during 2 SOC-hosted events,” Valerio said. A new feature to this semester’s University Police Department training is an additional NARCAN dose for each trained participant.
The university is also hosting a Pharmaceutical Take Back event on November 13, 2019 at the Student Activities Center from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, where members of the campus community can dispose of unused or expired medications, sunscreens, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in an environmentally friendly manner. Any questions can be directed to Valerio at 631-632-9338.
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