MCC Daily Tribune

Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Training Event 12/10/25 MCC Brighton Campus

Understanding the Facts about Illicit Drug Use, Opioid Analogs and Alcohol Overdose

For the first time since 2018, the United States has seen a decrease in drug overdose deaths and poisonings related to substance misuse. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention noted a 14.5 percent decrease in deaths between June 2023 and June 2024. More than 107,000 people nationwide lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023, with nearly 70 % of the deaths involved illicit drugs including fentanyl and /or opioids.

While opioid related deaths nationwide were on the decline, the Monroe County Medical Examiner reported 433 overdose deaths in 2023, a 30 percent increase from 333 in 2022. The trending of results and reported findings from the Medical Examiner’s 2023 overdose report revealed 83 percent of deaths involved fentanyl or its analogs and alcohol was present in 31 percent of opioid and cocaine overdose death.

A Call for Injury Prevention, Harm Reduction Strategies, Education, Prevention and Compassion

The Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Marielena Velez de Brown , following the Medical Examiner’s 2023 Overdose published report stated “Each death is a tragedy and every one of these lives mattered. This crisis requires both compassion and action. By providing tools like fentanyl and xylazine test strips and naloxone (Narcan), supporting treatment and recovery, expanding partnerships that target prevention efforts aimed at young people and disproportionately affected communities and fostering understanding rather than stigma, we can save lives and give people the change to recover” .

Understanding The Dangers Of Binge Drinking - MCC’s Commitment to Alcohol and Other Drug Education with Monroe County Department of Health Partners

As the term comes to a close and the holidays approach , the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAA) on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recognize that these events are, for some under-age youths and adults, occasions to misuse alcohol or binge drink with devastating consequences to themselves and those who love them.

According to the NIH binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women; five or more drinks for men in about two hours; with extreme binge drinking (high intensity drinking), defined as drinking two or more times the binge drinking levels for men and woman.

Dangers of Binge /High intensity Drinking and Symptoms of an Alcohol Overdose

Drinking too much and too quickly can lead to impairments in coordination, poor judgement, confusion, slurred speech and/or aggressive and impulsive behavior, leaving one at risk for unintended and unprotected sex, impaired driving and accidents, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and assaults . As the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises often the person (s) may continue to drink despite clear signs of impairment. Drinking large quantities of alcohol can overwhelm the body’s ability to break down and clear alcohol from the bloodstream. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain that control vital functions such as breathing, heart rate and ability to stay awake fail. Other protective mechanisms are dulled, like a gag reflex (prevents choking when vomiting) with inability to stay awake, “black outs” and even seizures. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can continue to rise even when a person stops drinking and has “passed out” or seems to be “just sleeping”. Understand that a person who has passed out can die without immediate medical attention.

As BAC increases so do the risks – know the danger signs and act quickly!

Never assume that an unconscious person will be fine by “sleeping it off”. Research shows (NIH/NIAA), that while teenagers and young adults are more likely to engage in binge /extreme drinking, they also are more likely to call for help from a trusted friend and 911 when they see a peer in trouble.

Knowing the danger signals and acting quickly can protect you and those around you from an alcohol overdose and irreversible damage. Understand that a person who has passed out, is unable to protect themselves and should never be left alone. If you suspect or are with a person that is impaired and in danger, CALL 911 and/or Public Safety at 585-292-2911 FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY and stay with them until medical help arrives.

If you are unsure if it’s an alcohol overdose or suspected overdose from a fentanyl laced drink, CALL 911 for help IMMEDIATELY and/or Public Safety at 585-292 2911 and administer Naloxone if you have it. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.

See an Overdose? Call 911 - The Good Samaritan Law protects YOU and Saves Lives!

Anyone, regardless of age, calls 911 seeking medical help for themselves or someone else during a drug or alcohol overdose is protected by the 911 Good Samaritan Law. The law empowers YOU to save a life, especially if the person is passed out and cannot be woken up, is not breathing or breathing slowly and showing signs and symptoms of a drug or alcohol overdose. Go to health.ny.gov/overdose to learn more about the 911 Good Samaritan Law.

MCDPH Addiction Services IMPACT TEAM- Tabling Events and Training Event December 10, 2025.

Training is available by accessing the imbedded links on the Monroe County web page. To register for a class and obtain health and harm reduction program information call the 24/7 hotline 585-753-5300 or visit IMPACT Team website for grief support for substance related loss, education, Narcan training, harm reduction and injury prevention strategies to reduce stigma associated with substance misuse.

On December 10, 2025 members of MCDPH IMPACT Team will be available on the MCC Brighton campus to share resources, education, free Narcan , drug testing kits and other items related to substance misuse as part of December’s alcohol/drug and DWI Awareness event sponsored by the MCC Health and Wellness team. The event will be held in Building 3, outside of the Counseling, Disability & Health Services Office , Room 3 -103. This is part of a Wellness Wednesday Event with food and activities for all students. For more information contact us at 585-292-2140 (option 3).

Follow MCC Tribune for posts on upcoming tabling events sponsored by the Counseling, Disability and Health Services team in 2025 and 2026.

Fran Hampton RN, BSN , MCC Counseling, Disability and Health Services

Sources:

Frances Hampton
Health and Wellness
12/10/2025