Drug addiction awareness group expands to Dutchess

A Putnam County-based drug addiction awareness organization has merged with a Dutchess County group to expand efforts "in dealing with the local addiction epidemic," representatives said.

The merger between Putnam's Drug Crisis in our Backyard, and Addiction, Awareness, Prevention, and Support (AAPS), a Dutchess' grassroots organization, will serve to create a stronger presence in Dutchess County, group members said.

Nonprofit Drug Crisis in our Backyard has worked since 2012 to combat addiction in Putnam County "by bringing awareness of the rampant use of opiates to the community."

The group was founded by two families, each of whom had a child die from a heroin overdose.

"We plan to take our affirmative action into Dutchess County and expand upon the successes we have achieved in Putnam County," said Steven Salomone, Drug Crisis co-founder.

They run overdose antidote Narcan trainings, present to PTA/PTO organizations and host a biweekly support group for loved ones dealing with the addiction of a friend or family member.

They'll host a Narcan training even on Feb. 28, at the East Fishkill Town Hall, led by Dutchess County Health Commissioner Dr. Kari Reiber.

East Fishkill police recently made their first Narcan save.

READ: Police saved 18-year-old from heroin overdose with reversal drug

Since the nonprofit started, Putnam County high school students report a decrease in drug and alcohol use, and an increase in the perception of the dangers of drugs, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam Inc.

The newly merged groups will operate under the name Drug Crisis in Our Backyard.

Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518 Twitter: @pojonschutzman

If you go

What: Narcan training event

Where: East Fishkill Town Hall, located at 330 Route 376 in Hopewell Junction

When: Noon - 2 p.m.

Register: email ssal@aol.com to register. Registration is required and limited to 50 people. Please register with name and phone number in case of cancellation due to weather.

For more: Call 914-582-8384 or visit www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.com