November 5th, 2021 – slip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter presented Citations of Recognition on behalf of the Town Board to first responders from throughout the Town of Islip, to recognize their heroic actions in the fight against the Opioid epidemic. In 2020, Opioid overdoses in Suffolk County rose to its highest rate since 2017, with 1,515 overdoses. Of those, 910 deaths were averted through the administration of Narcan. Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there has been an uptick in Opioid use stemming from lockdown protocols which brought on isolation, job insecurities and negatively impacted people’s mental health. About a quarter of the documented opioid overdoses took place in the Town of Islip.

WATCH NOW: Town Honors Local First Responders for Opioid Saves

“Many precious lives were saved right here in the Town of Islip, thanks to these heroic men and women and the training they receive,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “For first responders, it’s all in a day’s work, but for the victim’s loved ones, and for those suffering from addiction, it’s oftentimes a pivotal turning point, and a second chance at life,” added the Supervisor.

On hand for the presentation were representatives from Town fire departments, EMS/Ambulance companies, exchange ambulance, the Suffolk County police department, Youth Enrichment Services Executive Director, and Co-Chair of the Town of Islip Drug Abuse Awareness Task Force, MaryAnn Pfeiffer and Commissioner, Town of Islip Public Safety, Anthony Prudenti.