Recognizing the increasingly negative impact the local opioid epidemic has had on the community, the North Massapequa Fire District has partnered with YES Community Council in Massapequa to host an informative seminar on the subject on Thursday, June 1 at 7 PM at North Massapequa Fire Department headquarters, located at 1000 Broadway in North Massapequa.
“The time for action is now,” North Massapequa Fire Department Chief Fred Ferrara said. “Unfortunately we respond to an excessive amount of overdoses due to opioids like heroin and prescription pain killers like Oxycodone and we have had to save peoples’ lives through the administration of Narcan,” Chief Ferrara said. “Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose.”
Chief Ferrara said he strongly believes in the necessity to better educate the public as to the dangers inherent with these drugs, as well as preventative measures and support services available. “Making this information available to our local community will be an important first step in significantly reducing the impact this epidemic has created,” he said.
To that end, Commissioners from the North Massapequa Fire District have reached out to the YES Community Counseling Center, which is based in Massapequa and Levittown, to conduct an informative seminar on the opioid epidemic, which will be held in the fire department’s community meeting room. YES, under the leadership of Executive Director Jamie Bogenshutz, has been providing important support services to the community for more than 40 years. Its mission is to increase awareness about personal and community issues, prevent and treat substance abuse, and to promote healthy families and a safe community.
“YES has an extensive out reach program, which will be a perfect fit to lead our educational effort on the state of the opioids problem, nuances to substance abuse and the availability of treatment,” Fire Commissioner Ralph Raymond said. “YES and the fire service have a lot in common, overseeing the welfare of our local residents. We are so proud to partner with this outstanding organization and look forward to reaching out to our community and saving lives together.”
Commissioner Jack Smalley said he hopes residents will take advantage of this informative seminar. “People should not feel hesitant about joining this seminar, because it’s everybody’s job to address this problem head on,” Commissioner Smalley said. “Education really is a vital component in providing a remedy to this crisis.”
For more information and to register for the seminar, residents should contact the North Massapequa Fire Department’s website at www.nmfd-660.com or call the Chief’s office at 516-579- 0900. Seating is limited, so it is important to register as soon as possible.
“I hope to see everyone on June 1st,” Chief Ferrara said. “Let’s resolve this critical issue together.”
