GEDDES — The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports will be hosting a series of initiatives at the New York State Fair to help educate the public on overdose prevention.

OASAS is hosting a booth in the Science and Industries Building each day of the fair, with staff present to answer questions and provide important information about the range of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services available. Attendees of the fair are encouraged to visit the booth to take advantage of the important tools that are being made available free of charge.

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham will also be on hand to help promote agency initiatives and the availability of additional life-saving tools in observance International Overdose Awareness Day.

“Across the country, we are continuing to see unprecedented numbers of overdoses. We need to do everything possible to help reverse this trend and save more lives. We are taking advantage of our presence at the New York State Fair to help raise awareness and make critical resources available for those in attendance," Cunningham said in a release.

“We also want to ensure that people know how to access OASAS educational opportunities, services, and assistance to help keep their families and communities safe and healthy.”

Free prevention giveaways on Aug. 31:

• Deterra drug deactivation bags to safely dispose of unwanted/unused medication.

• Medication lock bags to keep prescriptions safe and ensure use is only as intended.

• Fentanyl test strips to test substance potency and help prevent accidental overdose.

Free naloxone training sessions will take place at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Wednesday. Space is limited and registration is encouraged. Interested participants should sign up at the OASAS booth. Naloxone Overdose Prevention Kits will be provided to participants of pre-scheduled trainings.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369.

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at: FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.