Heroin and prescription drug abuse isn’t just a problem facing celebrities and big cities. It’s a growing issue throughout this country including here in the capital region, affecting both adults and teens. On HEALTH LINK we examine opioid addiction. What’s responsible for the surge; warning signs; treatment and recovery. Plus how one local sheriff’s department is saving lives by reversing the effects of an overdose.
GUESTS
Michael Dailey, MD, FACEP
Dr. Michael Dailey is director of pre-hospital emergency care at Albany Medical Center. As such, he works closely with emergency medical services in the community.
He has been involved in EMS for more than 25 years, with experience in volunteer suburban EMS, rural volunteer fire service, urban municipal EMS and helicopter EMS. He’s the EMS medical director for the Hudson Mohawk Region, which includes the counties of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady. (http://www.remo-ems.com/)
Lauren Purington, PhD
Lauren Purington is an Assistant Professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy. Dr. Purington has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan, and among the classes she teaches now is one called “Drugs of Abuse.” She is also a former member of the University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center, and she has received research funding from both the Center and the National Institute of Drug Abuse. She has also spoken on this topic as part of the College’s Continuing Education program for pharmacists.
Deputy Zach Sharpe
Deputy Zach Sharpe is an 8 year veteran of the Renssealaer County Sheriff’s Department. He has been trained in the use of the drug, Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an overdose.
Lynda Tymeson, CASAC
Lynda Tymeson is Director of Program Services of Hope House, Inc, a residential recovery program in Albany, NY. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of addictions.
RESOURCES
Catholic Charities, Project Safe Point
Above the Influence – Prescription Drug
MedlinePlus - Prescription Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services - OASAS
---
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be medical advice. By clicking the links above, you will be leaving WMHT.org. WMHT Educational Telecommunications has *not* made any determination about the quality of the information within these links, nor does it endorse any information, service, product or company included within the links above.
Stock Photos provided by Shutterstock.
