KENNEBUNK – The Town of Kennebunk and the Kennebunk Police Department, in partnership with the City of Portland Public Health Division’s Overdose Prevention Project, are pleased to announce two opportunities for the community to be trained in Recognizing and Responding to an Opiate/Heroin Overdose.
The next session will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, 60 Thompson Road, Kennebunk. This session is open to the community and is being held with the support of the RSU 21 School District.
These trainings are in response to the opiate epidemic sweeping across our country, where Maine and our communities are not immune. Maine saw 376 drug-induced deaths statewide in 2016, 317 of which were opioid related.
“Our communities must work together to make a difference and help fight this epidemic,” said Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie. “We can all potentially save a life and give hope to recovery.”
Participants will be trained in how to recognize the signs of an overdose, how to perform first-aid, to include chest compression only CPR, as well as how to administer naloxone (the drug which reverses the effects of opioids).
The goal of this training is not only for life-saving purposes, it will hopefully help reduce the stigma attached to those with substance use disorder.
The sessions are limited to 60 participants; please register at www.kennebunkmaine.us/worktogether.
Anyone with questions or requests for additional information is asked to contact MacKenzie at the Kennebunk Police Department, 985-2102 ext. 1339 or by email, rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us.
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