OCEAN CITY – A local organization will offer Narcan training to those in the hospitality industry.
On Friday, May 10, Growing Hope – an organization with a goal to educate the community on the opioid epidemic – will offer a training session on Narcan, a medication used to counteract the effects of an overdose.
Ruthie Shofi of Growing Hope said the group will partner with the Worcester County Health Department to offer a training course from 9-11 a.m. at Seacrets’ Morley Hall. She said anyone from the hospitality industry is welcome to attend the event.
“The health department is going to offer certifications and recertifications to administer Narcan,” she said.
Shofi said the Narcan trainings are a way to equip those working in resort hotels and restaurants.
“Three years ago, we provided our first Narcan training through the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association and it went well,” she said. “We trained between 50 and 100 people before the start of the summer season.”
Shofi noted, however, an interest in offering training sessions again this year.
“About three weeks ago, Lou Lombardo with Seacrets called and asked if we were offering any certification or recertification classes again,” she said. “So we called the health department, and they were generous enough to come along and provide training.”
Shofi said the training event will be offered just before the start of the summer season.
“The goal was to have this training done before Memorial Day,” she said. “Our season will soon begin … Knowing this is still a big problem, we want everyone to be prepared.”
Shofi said those interested in attending the training session can email [email protected], or call Ruthie Shofi at 443-783-9723 or Judie Kisly at 443-614-2313, through May 8.
“We just want to notify anyone who feels they need to come and be a part of this,” she said.
Shofi explained Growing Hope’s initiatives – including the Narcan training sessions – compliment community efforts to educate individuals on the opioid epidemic.
“We find small opportunities to help in any way that we can,” she said.
For more information on Growing Hope, visit the Growing Hope Facebook page.
