Heroin, opioid panel held at Northwell Health

<p>An educational panel discussion was held in Manhasset Tuesday on the best practices for dealing with the current heroin and opioid epidemic that has gripped many families on Long Island.</p>

News 12 Staff

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Apr 10, 2018, 6:56 PM

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Updated 2,452 days ago

An educational panel discussion was held in Manhasset Tuesday on the best practices for dealing with the current heroin and opioid epidemic that has gripped many families on Long Island.

The session was hosted by state Sen. Elaine Phillips (R-7th District) and Northwell Health.

Steve Chassman, the director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, called the panel “very informative.”

“That is how you turn the corner on this devastating health care epidemic. Everyone pitches in and shares resources and hopefully puts an end to this health care crisis,” said Chassman.

According to the panel, the number of deaths from opioid use reached 600 on Long Island in 2017.

Chassman pointed out that Massapequa and the Town of Brookhaven have been hotspots for the crisis, but “no community has been immune to this.”

Some of the topics discussed by the panel included the use of vaping by teens, the lethal synthetic drug fentanyl and mandatory drug education in schools.

The group also discussed Narcan training to counteract an opioid overdose. Chassman told News 12 that training is available through LICADD’s facilities.