Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2014
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Author: Denise Nickerson

12 SUNY COLLEGES WILL GET HEROIN ANTIDOTE

ALBANY - In an effort to reduce heroin overdose cases, 12 state
colleges will get naloxone kits, the potent heroin antidote.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is making the announcement
Wednesday at SUNY Purchase in Westchester County.

The Community Overdoses Prevention program will provide SUNY police
with nearly $27,000 to purchase 258 naloxone kits for campuses at
Purchase, Potsdam, Buffalo, Cortland, Oswego, Albany, Geneseo,
Adirondack, Canton, Utica/Rome, Farmingdale, and New Paltz.

Each naloxone kit will consist of a zip bag or pouches that will
contain two pre-filled syringes of naloxone, the heroin antidote that
can reverse the effects of an opioid or heroin overdose. It also will
include two atomizers for nasal administration, sterile gloves and a
pamphlet on the use of the drug.

"The COP Program is an essential part of our effort to combat the
epidemic of heroin overdoses plaguing communities here in New York
state and across the country," Schneiderman said in a statement.

New York, like many states, has been dealing with a surge in heroin
abuse.

In 2012, Westchester was one of top 10 counties in the state for
opioid-related hospitalizations, Schneiderman said. The Hudson Valley
had the highest per capita heroin hospital admission rate in the state
in 2012, with an average of 1.912 opioid-related admissions per 1,000
residents, according to the attorney general.

In May, a SUNY Oswego student died on campus from a heroin overdose,
while two other students suffered near-fatal overdoses off campus. In
April, another SUNY Oswego student died in his off-campus home from a
heroin overdose, Schneiderman said.

In another case last year, a SUNY Binghamton graduate was found dead
on campus from a heroin overdose, he said.

Schneiderman launched a program in April to provide naloxone to
police, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has taken similar steps. Cuomo and the
Legislature in June also passed tougher anti-heroin laws and way to
improve treatment programs.

Schneiderman said the program has approved the distribution of nearly
28,000 kits to 164 police departments across the state.

The cost of a naloxone kit is approximately $60, and the shelf life of
each kit is approximately two years. ​  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D