ADDITIONAL DATES FOR COMMUNITY NALOXONE TRAINING CLASSES ARE ANNOUNCED

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 26, 2014) - The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Brandywine Counseling and Community Services have confirmed additional dates for community training classes for people to learn how to use the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. Through the first two sessions, 55 people have been trained and 28 kits of the naloxone nasal spray (two doses each) have been distributed.

The one-hour classes are the result of legislation passed earlier this year by the General Assembly and signed into law in June by Gov. Jack Markell to reduce the rising number of deaths from accidental opiate overdoses tied to prescription pain medications or heroin. The law allows for family members, friends or individuals with an addiction to be trained on how to use the nasal spray naloxone, and to carry and administer the drug.

From January through October of this year, Delaware has had 158 suspected overdose deaths, many of which involved heroin or prescription painkillers. By comparison, in all of 2013, a total of 99 people died as the result of car accidents in Delaware. Across the country, heroin overdose deaths alone increased 45 percent between 2006 and 2010.

The Delaware Overdose Survival Education (DOSE) classes are approved by DHSS and are offered by Brandywine Counseling.

No registration is required for the classes; they are first-come, first-served. There is no cost for the class, but individuals will pay $50 for the nasal spray naloxone kit which is distributed after training. DHSS' Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health has provisions in place for those who cannot afford the payment.

An updated schedule:

• Dec. 13: Noon, Stubbs Elementary School, 1100 N. Pine St., Wilmington. 429-4175.
• Dec. 15: 6 p.m., Milford Moose Lodge, 20142 Beaver Dam Road, Milford. 424-2316.
• Jan. 22: 6 p.m., Camp Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 227-5620.
• Jan. 28: 6 p.m., Wilmington Parks and Recreation, specific location to be announced.
• March 30: 6 p.m., Delaware Technical Community College's Wilmington Campus, 333 N. Shipley St., Wilmington. 857-1000.
• May 18: 6 p.m., Delaware Technical Community College's Stanton Campus, 400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark. 283-3179.
• June 15: 6 p.m., Camp Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 227-5620.
• July 9: Middletown location, time and specific location to be announced.
• Sept. 8: 6 p.m., Delaware Technical Community College's Terry Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Dover. 857-1427.

Along with the nasal spray naloxone kit, individuals who complete the class will receive a wallet-sized card containing training information.

For more information on the classes, call Brandywine Counseling at 504-5920, email bccs@brandywinecounselng.org , or go to www.brandywinecounseling.org

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.