County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the Sheriff’s Office and the Whitesboro Police Department have joined with the Oneida County Overdose Response Team to participate in the county’s “Leave Behind” Narcan program.
They will be the first local law enforcement agencies to participate in the program, joining the Utica Fire Department and Midstate EMS who piloted the Overdose Response Team’s program in October.
“Our first responders are on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic, handling multiple and repeat overdose calls under difficult conditions and seeing firsthand the traumatic consequences,” Picente said. “I am happy our Sheriff’s Office and the Whitesboro Police Department have joined the Overdose Response Team’s ‘Leave Behind’ program and recognize the benefits of using Narcan to treat substance abuse disorder. We know that Narcan is not the only solution to the overdose crisis, but every time it’s successfully used, it gives someone another chance to get help and find a path to recovery.”