North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the town’s Substance Misuse Advisory Council announced Tuesday a partnership with the Long Island Council Against Drug Dependence to supply the own with Narcan kits to be placed in visible locations in buildings, parks, and facilities around the Town of North Hempstead.
The announcement coincides with National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day intended to highlight efforts nationwide to increase awareness and decrease demand for fentanyl, a drug that continues to fuel the opioid epidemic.
“The opioid epidemic has hit dangerous new heights in the past year, with over 110,000 people dying nationwide due to drug overdoses, which equates to over 300 people a day,” DeSena said. “Narcan has helped save many lives, and while I hope these kits never need to be used, I felt it was important to secure their placement on Town property to make sure we will always be prepared in the case of an emergency. Thank you to LICADD for your generous donation of these Narcan kits.”
 Before becoming became town supervisor, DeSena dedicated her time and energy to educating and empower parents and families about the risks of alcohol and other drugs as the Executive Director of the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse. In her first year in office,
DeSena established the town’s Substance Misuse Advisory Council to help combat the scourge of the opioid epidemic. Recently, Supervisor DeSena hosted a community forum in partnership with LICADD, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and other groups regarding the devastating fentanyl poisoning crisis and opioid epidemic.
“The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) is proud to partner with the Town and commends the leadership of North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena for addressing and responding to the public health issue of the ongoing opioid epidemic and its adverse impact on Long Island families at an alarming rate,” Steve Chassman, executive director of LICADD said. “It’s imperative that we protect our Long Island communities by expanding access to Narcan kits as we work to provide community awareness and education.”
