During the past year, Cortland County has experienced an alarming increase in the opioid overdose rate.  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, Family & Children’s Counseling Services (FCCS), CACTC, Healing Hearts Collaborative, and other community agencies are working together to promote naloxone training and distribution. Naloxone (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.

We have two Pop-Up Events coming up soon:

• Tuesday, July 13. Stop over anytime between 10:00-11:30am, outside of Chenango-Cortland Rural Services, 2704 Lower Cincinnatus Rd, Cincinnatus 
• Saturday, July 17 at Holiday in Homer. Stop over anytime between 10am-2pm. Find us on the Homer Village Green, between the two churches next to the Homer Police Department booth!

Anyone who participates in a brief 5-10 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. If you are vaccinated no mask is needed!

Narcan training activities are provided by FCCS staff assigned to their Center of Treatment Innovation (COTI) Program and/or staff from Healing Hearts Collaborative, a community organization dedicated to getting Narcan into as many hands as possible in order to save lives. 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. If you would like to obtain Narcan or be trained outside of normal Monday-Friday work week hours, you can reach out to Dean O’Gorman, director of Healing Hearts Collaborative. Dean and his staff works to meet the needs of community members who may need training in the evening or on a weekend. Find Dean O’Gorman on Facebook, or text him at (607)-283-6378.

Healing Cortland is 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.