Life Safety Education in Response to the Opioid Epidemic (LGAA 2018)

Village of Manlius
County: Onondaga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 682-9171

The Village of Manlius underwent a difficult task with a simple goal; Prevention through Education. The Manlius Fire Department/EMS, in conjunction with the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, created a program to educate students, parents, and the community of the rising opioid epidemic within the community. Their goal was to educate the public on the severity of opioid usage, how to alert someone when they recognize someone using, and what to look for in someone who may be using opioids. One of the Village’s most effective tools was there use of open-dialogue between the speakers and public, rather than simply lecturing. Reports from the Fire Department of student responses indicate that the program was an overwhelming success in educating the student – the Department hoping this education will correlate to their next stage, seeking an overall decrease in opioid overdoses in the community.