Opioid Overdose Prevention

Doctors may prescribe opioids like Vicodin®, OxyContin®, and Percocet® for pain, but these medicines can be harmful if misused. Anyone can become addicted to opioids, even if it’s prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed. Opioids affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. If you take too much, it can slow your breathing and cause death. 

Our opioid overdose prevention program works to reduce opioid overdoses and deaths in our community by: 

  • Providing education and training to community members on opioids, risks, and how to prevent overdose deaths. 
  • Staying informed of overdose trends in the county, state, and nation. 
  • Partnering with the Sheriff's Office and SCCUDD to help community members dispose of unwanted or expired medications through Drug Take Back Day events and medication drop boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What can I do to help reduce opioid overdose or addiction risk? 

If you are prescribed an opioid medication: 

  • Take the medicine as prescribed. Don't take more than you should. Talk to your doctor to make sure you know the risks.  
  • Store medicines in a safe place. Always keep medications up and away and out of sight of children.  
  • Don’t take opioids with alcohol or other drugs. It is very dangerous.  
  • Don’t share or sell your medication. Only take your own prescribed medicine.  
  • Dispose of unwanted or unused prescription opioids. This helps prevent them from getting into the hands of others who may misuse them.  

How can I get rid of unwanted or expired medication? 

You can get rid of unwanted prescriptions year-round by taking them to one of the medication drop boxes in the community. There are boxes available at various community locations: 

  • The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office in Watkins Glen 
    • Open 24/7 
    • No sharps, liquids, or illicit drugs/Schedule 1 controlled substances. 
  • The Human Services Complex in Montour Falls 
    • Open Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM 
    • No sharps, liquids, or illicit drugs/Schedule 1 controlled substances. 
  • The Watkins Glen Village Police Department in Watkins Glen 
    • Open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM 
    • No sharps, liquids, or illicit drugs/Schedule 1 controlled substances. 
  • CVS Pharmacy 
    • Open Monday through Friday 9 AM - 7 PM, Saturdays 10 AM - 6 PM, and Sundays 11 AM - 5 PM. Closed for lunch daily from 1:30 PM to 2 PM.
    • No sharps, liquids, or illicit drugs/Schedule 1 controlled substances. 
  • Schuyler Hospital 
    • Open 24/7 
    • Enter through ER. 
    • No sharps, liquids, or illicit drugs/Schedule 1 controlled substances. 

You can also attend a National Drug Take Back Day event. They are typically held on the last Saturday of April and October at local fire departments. We will share information about the dates, times, and locations of these events via our website, social media, and other methods in the weeks leading up to the event. 

How can I dispose of sharps?

You can properly and safely dispose of sharps through the Schuyler Hospital Laboratory Department. For more information click here.

What should I do if I think someone is having an opioid overdose? 

If you think someone is having an opioid overdose: 

  1. Look for Signs of Opioid Overdose 
    • Overdose signs could include: 
      • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” 
      • Can't wake up / stays unconscious 
      • Slow, shallow breathing 
      • Choking or gurgling sounds 
      • Limp body 
      • Fingernails or lips turning blue/purple 
    • It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life. 
  2. Call 911 immediately 
  3. Administer naloxone (Narcan), if available
    • Naloxone is a safe medication to stop opioid overdose rapidly. Naloxone will not harm someone if you give it to them and they are not overdosing on an opioid. 
  4. Try to keep the person awake and breathing 
  5. Stay with them until help arrives 
  6. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking 

How can I get trained to administer naloxone? 

You can reach out to FLACRA's Watkins Glen Clinic to set up a naloxone training. FLACRA's phone number is 607-535-8260. 

You can also call our office at 607-535-8140 for more information about naloxone training. 

Where can I get naloxone? 

You can get naloxone after completing a naloxone training with an opioid overdose prevention program. Naloxone is also available through many pharmacies via New York's Naloxone Co-Payment Assistance Program. This program allows community members to get naloxone from the pharmacy at no, or lower, out-of-pocket cost without a prescription. Learn more about the N-CAP program: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/opioid_overdose_prevention/directories.htm. 

How can I get treatment for myself or a loved one? 

You can visit findtreatment.gov to search for nearby facilities offering mental health and substance use treatment. 

You can also reach out to the 24/7 HOPE Line at 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369) or text HOPENY (467369) or visit oasas.ny.gov to learn more about addiction treatment. Learn more at https://oasas.ny.gov/hopeline.

Looking for resources or to learn more about the program?

Call our office at 607-535-8140. 

You can also check out the following resources: