'Opioid 101' to focus on opioid prevention, overdose education March 26

Community residents are invited to attend an "Opioid 101" (Opioid Prevention, Overdose Education) and Naloxone Training from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.

Elgin Police Department Detective Anthony Rigano, community activist Andrew Holmes, Renz Addiction Counseling Center's Clinical Director Jim Brunetti, and the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin's coordinator Gil Feliciano will speak on opioid prevention and treatment, what to do when an overdose occurs, and available community resources.

Following the forum, opioid overdose prevention training using Naloxone will be held at no charge for registered individuals.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that can reverse an overdose that is caused by an opioid drug. When administered during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes.

"Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and morphine," Feliciano said. "When misused, all are addictive. Fentanyl, the deadliest opioid, is also highly addictive and the most lethal."

"Since 2010, there have been more deaths due to drug overdoses than deaths due to motor vehicle accidents in Kane County", as reported in Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths in Kane County, Kane County Health Department July 2017. "The number of deaths due to drug overdoses has more than doubled since 1999."

"Opioids 101" is free, however, registration is necessary due to limited seating. To register, visit goo.gl/26B6Q7 or contact Gil Feliciano at (630) 883-4944 or through email at gfeliciano@renzcenter.org.

"Opioids 101" is sponsored by the Coalition for a Safe and Health Elgin, whose mission is to promote a safe and healthy community, free of violence and substance use disorder through education, prevention and action. The Coalition for a Safe and Health Elgin is funded in part by a Drug-Free Communities federal grant.