During the past year, Cortland County has experienced an alarming increase in the opioid overdose rate.  Public health experts are indicating that 2020 data will set new records for fatal and non-fatal overdoses, especially fatal overdoses. An opioid overdose can happen to anyone consuming opioids for medical or recreational use. However, the pandemic and resulting social isolation have contributed to additional challenges for those struggling with addiction.  

To address these concerns and save lives, FCCS, CACTC and other community agencies are working together to promote Narcan training and distribution.  Narcan nasal spray is a lifesaving medication that reverses an opioid overdose in a matter of minutes. Anyone can be trained to administer Narcan and it is extremely simple to use. 

Even if you are not personally affected by opioid use, it is always safe to have a Narcan kit in case a neighbor, bystander, or family member is in need. You can save a life.

Community members are invited to take advantage of these training options:

Virtual Narcan Trainings Now Available

Family and Children’s Counseling Services now offers two weekly virtual Narcan training sessions open to anyone in the community. There is no cost for the training and upon completion you will receive a free Narcan kit. 

Training sessions are offered on Mondays at 3:00pm and Wednesdays at noon.  The actual training typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but additional time is available for questions and answers. Participants can either join via Zoom or can call-in. No video or sharing of personal information is required. Staff will then coordinate a pick up, drop off, or mailing of the Narcan kit depending on your needs.

Visit healingcortland.org/narcan for more information or to access the direct link to join the virtual training meeting room. There is no needed sign up. People can also join directly with this information: 

For Zoom: Meeting ID: 834 1017 5700  Passcode: Narcan

To Call In: (929) 205-6099   Meeting ID: 834 1017 5700  Passcode: 826602

Narcan Pop-Up Event Planned for Friday, January 29

Stop over anytime between 12:30-2:30pm, EconoLodge parking lot, 10 Church Street, Cortland

Family & Children’s Counseling Services is hosting Cortland’s second Narcan Pop-Up Event on Friday, January 29 from 12:30-2:30pm in the parking lot of the EconoLodge. Anyone who participates in a brief 5 to 10 minute training can leave with their own free Narcan kit.  Training activities take place outside with limited person-to-person interaction and COVID-19 safety precautions in place. 

Narcan training activities are provided by FCCS staff assigned to their Center of Treatment Innovation (COTI) Program.  The COTI Program is a mobile outreach service offering peer support, harm reduction, and treatment for individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder. 

For more information about the COTI Program or to access Narcan training or kits, contact the FCCS Main Office at (607) 753-0234 or the COTI Program Director cell at (607)749-0014 during normal business hours. You can also reach COTI staff by email at COTI@fcscortland.org.

FCCS is a proud partner in Healing Cortland, a community-wide initiative to reduce overdose deaths in Cortland County. Healing Cortland, a project of CACTC, is working to increase and coordinate opioid overdose education and Narcan distribution in Cortland County to ensure that all residents have access. To learn more about Healing Cortland, visit healingcortland.org. 

Family & Children’s Counseling Services is a non-profit organization serving a four-county region in Central New York and the Southern Tier.  The agency offers mental health, chemical dependency, and school-based counseling, as well as prevention services through its prevention division, Cortland Prevention Resources. The Cortland LGBTQ Resource Center is a division of FCCS and provides services and resources to members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.