Orange County launches free NARCAN trainings for residents

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has announced a series of free opioid overdose response trainings for county residents in 2026, with each participant receiving a free NARCAN nasal spray kit. The one-hour sessions will teach how opioids affect the body, current overdose trends in Orange County, how to recognize signs of an overdose, and how to respond with naloxone.

“Providing our residents with the tools and knowledge to save a life is one of the most important responsibilities we have,” Neuhaus said in the county announcement. The trainings are open to the public and are intended for family members, caregivers, community workers, faith leaders, and anyone who may encounter an opioid overdose in the community.

All sessions run from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 30 Harriman Drive in Goshen. Scheduled dates for 2026 are February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, October 3, November 7, and December 5. Registration is required; residents can sign up through the Department of Mental Health or by scanning the QR code on the county flyer. Additional information and registration links are available at orangecountygov.com/CivicAlerts.aspx.

Naloxone, sold under brand names like NARCAN, rapidly reverses opioid overdoses by restoring breathing when opioids have slowed or stopped respiration. Training combines a brief medical overview with practical, hands-on instruction for recognizing an overdose, administering the nasal spray, and following up with emergency medical services. The county says the curriculum will include local overdose trend information so participants understand the community context for the risks.

For Orange County residents, the trainings offer a practical way to reduce harm without waiting for professional responders. Bystander administration of naloxone is a time-sensitive intervention: having a kit on hand and knowing how to use it can be the difference between life and death. Local community organizations, schools, and faith groups can use these sessions to equip volunteers and staff with lifesaving skills.

Attendance is limited to those who register, and every attendee receives a complimentary NARCAN kit to keep at home, in a car, or in community spaces. The county’s approach pairs distribution of naloxone with education so residents leave confident in recognizing an overdose and taking immediate action.

The takeaway? If someone you love uses opioids or you spend time in neighborhoods where overdoses occur, sign up for a training and carry the kit. A short hour and a small spray can put a lifesaving tool in your hands—our two cents, go get trained.