Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864
For Immediate Release
Monday, June 20, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
*Media Advisory* North Reading Police to Host Citizen CPR/Narcan Training
NORTH READING— Police Chief Michael P. Murphy announces that the North Reading Police Department, in conjunction with Winchester Hospital, will host the first Citizen Narcan-CPR Training for families in need.
The event comes amidst the nationwide opioid epidemic, which has left no community untouched by the disease of addiction.
“We are pleased to offer a training of this kind for the first time,” Chief Murphy said. “Opiate addiction is affecting not only our community, but our surrounding communities as well. We encourage everyone to attend.”
The training is open to the entire community. Spaces for individuals and families who have been affected by addiction have already been reserved. Extra seats will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to those attending.
WHEN:
Monday, June 27 at 6 p.m.
WHERE:
North Reading Police Department Training Room, 150 Park St.
WHO:
- Lt. Mark Zimmerman
- Detective Thomas Hatch
- Members of the Winchester Hospital Home Health Team
WHAT:
During the training, attendees will:
- Learn about the current drug trends involving opioids
- Learn how to administer the overdose-reversal drug, nasal Naloxone (Narcan)
- Receive available Narcan dosage units
- Learn how to obtain additional units of Narcan
- Receive resources for families and at risk individuals
- Learn life saving measures for someone suffering from an opioid overdose
North Reading Police officers will also be demonstrating hands-only CPR, which is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out of hospital” setting (such as home, at work or in a park). Participants will also be instructed on the proper delivery of mouth-to-mouth CPR.
Winchester Hospital will be working closely with local law enforcement to assist in helping those in the community affected by this health crisis. Members of the Winchester Hospital Home Health team, including Diane McQuiston, RN; Elizabeth Veno RN, BSN,; and Lou LaBella, M.Ed, LSW; will be in attendance to assist with identifying local resources and to teach family and friends of those affected by this crisis how they might be able to save lives.
Additionally, Winchester Hospital Home Care nurses and social workers will educate the community about how opioids affect the body, how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to respond in order to increase the chance of reversing a potentially life threatening overdose. Nurses and social workers will provide a hands-on demonstration of how to administer Narcan, which when used properly, may be able to reverse the effects of an overdose.
“The opioid epidemic has impacted too many of our communities,” said Karen Keaney, Executive Director of Winchester Hospital Home Care. “Community outreach is a critical component in curbing this crisis, and we look forward to working with the North Reading Police Department to educate residents on this opioid epidemic and what they can do to help.”
###