Town to host vet services info day

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the town’s Veterans Advisory Committee today announced a free Veterans Services Information Showcase to be held on Tuesday, May 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Clinton G. Martin Park, located at 1601 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park.

“I am very proud that the town will be hosting this veterans’ event, as it will serve as a great opportunity to connect veterans and their families with services and resources available to them,” Town Supervisor DeSena said. “Our town has a very robust and active veterans’ population, and through our Veterans Advisory Committee and our other programs like Project Independence, we are constantly looking for new ways to support these brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. I am excited about the new possibilities and relationships this event will bring between our veterans and the organizations that are dedicated to supporting them.”

The Veterans Services Information Showcase will feature a number of groups and organizations dedicated to helping our veterans. Among those in attendance will include: the Northport VA Center, Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans, Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, Warrior Ranch, United Veterans Beacon House, Here to Help Military and Families, Northwell Military Liaison Services, Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island, Long Island State Veterans Home, Army Rangers Lead the Way Foundation, North Hempstead American Legion and VFW Posts and Nassau County Clerk’s Office. This event is free for all to attend, and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, call 516869-7604.

North Hempstead Council Member Peter Zuckerman and New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti are cosponsoring a Narcan training program at the Shelter Rock Public Library on May 11 from 7-8 p.m.

The program is designed to educate the public on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond with the administration of Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The training will be conducted by Dr. Edward Rubin and Alex Rubin, who will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose.

Attendees will be provided free Narcan kits by Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc. following the event.

Opioid overdoses continue to be a major public health concern across the country and the number of overdose deaths has increased dramatically in recent years. According to Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc., drug overdoses are now the top cause of death for individuals under the age of 50. Narcan has proven to be an effective tool in reversing the effects of an overdose and saving lives, but it is only effective if administered properly and in a timely manner.

“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on communities across Long Island and throughout our country, and we want to do whatever we can to help address it. I am proud to offer this training to our residents,” Zuckerman said. “It is our hope that by educating our community about opioid overdoses and Narcan, we can help save lives.”

“Community Narcan training events are an essential tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic. By providing our community with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to an overdose, these events have the potential to save lives and prevent needless tragedy,” Sillitti said. “But more than that, Narcan training is about empowering individuals to take action and make a difference in our communities. By coming together to learn and practice this life-saving skill, we can create a culture of awareness, support and hope for those struggling with addiction.”

Registration for the Narcan training is open to the first 100 participants. Residents can register online for the free training at bit.ly/Narcan-Training-5-11 or by calling the Shelter Rock Public Library at 516-248-7363.