FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

December 21, 2017

Contact: Isaac McGinn (mcginni@hra.nyc.gov, o: 929-221-5564 c: 646-946-9667)

TODAY: DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION, CITY COUNCIL, AND ADVOCATES TO ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF COMPREHENSIVE OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IN CITY SHELTERS

NEW YORK—This afternoon, at 2:00PM, the de Blasio Administration, Council Member Ritchie Torres, and VOCAL-NY, joined by fellow advocates, will announce that the City is expanding overdose prevention programming at City shelters, including enhancing naloxone training. All current shelter providers have been trained and all shelters now have staff equipped to administer naloxone, including frontline staff, security staff, and social service staff at traditional shelters for both adults and families, as well as staff, including outreach teams, at dedicated facilities for street homeless individuals, including Safe Havens and drop-in centers. Today’s event will include a naloxone training demonstration.

Codifying DSS policy into City law, the Department of Homeless Services will continue to implement existing opioid overdose prevention programming and naloxone administration training at city shelters, with a focus on expanding client preparedness and empowering clients to be first responders if they witness an overdose. In addition to DHS shelters, DSS now requires HASA facilities to have a staff member trained in overdose prevention and naloxone administration on duty at all times during the provider's business hours, and has expanded efforts to train clients to HASA facilities, targeting residents that may experience or encounter an overdose. DSS is also developing a comprehensive harm reduction and drug-use prevention plan.

From January to November 2017, there have been over 200 naloxone uses in shelters citywide and 181 overdose reversals and lives saved as a result, with ongoing training continuing.

Media interested in attending should RSVP with Isaac McGinn (mcginni@hra.nyc.gov).