The Weill Cornell Medicine Program for Substance Use and Stigma of Addiction, under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Avery, Vice Chair for Addiction Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, has proudly distributed naloxone rescue kits (Narcan) to the New York City community for 10 years. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the opioid crisis in the United States, which has claimed countless lives and continues to be a grave concern.
The distribution of these kits, which were also made available over the counter two years ago, is one of the big reasons that overdose deaths decreased in 2023 for the first time since 2018. Naloxone is a unique medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and restores breathing, enabling many to then seek help and recover.
Community partnerships form the heart of the initiative
As Narcan access continues to expand, Weill Cornell Medicine has further invested in its training initiatives with various local organizations, including Brooklyn Public Library, The Whitney Museum and Tao Hospitality Group.
The Weill Cornell Medicine Narcan program has partnered with Robin Kellner and John Sicher from the beginning. Robin and John tell the story of losing Robin’s daughter, Zoe Kellner, to an accidental overdose at each training. "Some still believe that drug overdoses are someone else’s story,” Kellner emphasized. “We’re trying to help people understand that an accidental drug overdose can happen to anyone.” Their personal account helps underscore the real-life impact these trainings can have.
Pictured left to right at a Narcan training for Tao Hospitality Group: Dr. Jonathan Avery, Robin Kellner and John Sicher.
Many participating organizations are inviting back Dr. Avery and his team each year as the program continues to build momentum. “From the Tao Hospitality Group to numerous other organizations, including schools and religious organizations, we have been proud to return each year and to see the impact of our trainings,” shared Dr. Avery.
As a testament to the program’s success, Dr. Avery and his team are already seeing the evidence of that impact. During a recent training at her organization, Eve Morin, Assistant Director of The Lese Center for Living Judaism at Central Synagogue, began by describing how she saved someone’s life after receiving a kit at a previous event. “It was humbling to realize the Narcan had given someone a second chance,” said Morin. Her story is just one of many that illustrate the life-saving potential of Narcan and the critical need for widespread education and access.
Pictured is a Narcan training at Central Synagogue.
Offering education to teach empathy and life-saving skills
Each of these Narcan training programs comprises two vital components. The first focuses on understanding the stigma associated with substance use disorders. "We all know how stigma can interfere with good medical treatment. But stigma also interferes with extending compassion and humanity to family members and folks within our communities," shares Kellner. These training sessions aim to dismantle the stereotypes and biases that surround addiction, encouraging empathy and understanding.
The second component of the training programs equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to administer Narcan effectively in an emergency. Quick administration is critical, as timely intervention with Narcan can mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an opioid overdose. By educating the public to identify and intervene in an opioid overdose, these programs are creating a more compassionate and knowledgeable community.
Pictured is a Narcan training for Tao Hospitality Group.
Medical students, residents and fellows of Weill Cornell Medicine also participate in these trainings with Dr. Avery and receive their own education in the process. Viveka Jain, a first-year medical student, has already participated in several trainings that are shaping her outlook. “Many overdose-related deaths are preventable if enough people are educated about the life-saving potential of Narcan, and it's incredibly rewarding to do my part in supporting such a wonderful initiative,” stated Jain.
Sarah Wozniak, a senior medical student, has also participated in these trainings for several years now and emphasizes the impact of hearing Zoe’s story: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from Robin and John. Doing Narcan trainings with them helped me understand one way in which physicians can truly support their communities. Working with Robin and John spurred me to continue learning skills to address the opioid epidemic in and outside healthcare settings.”
Pictured is a Narcan training for Tao Hospitality Group
The future of reducing stigma and treating the opioid epidemic
For Dr. Avery, the partnership with Robin Kellner and John Sicher was the catalyst that started these trainings, and he hopes more and more partnerships inspired by this one continue to spring up in the community. “Our hope is that one day Narcan will be in homes, offices, schools and colleges,” said Kellner. “I can’t think of a better way to care for each other and our communities.”
Looking ahead, the Program for Substance Use and Stigma of Addiction is making significant progress in reducing stigma and enhancing the quality and accessibility of substance use treatments that extend beyond these Narcan trainings. Under Dr. Avery's leadership, the program is developing various training tools for healthcare providers and supportive programs for patients and their families.
To meet the growing need for non-stigmatizing treatments and resources, the program has recently launched a free comprehensive support system for individuals and families navigating the complexities of substance use disorders, called the SAFE Program. Through both one-on-one consultations and peer support, the SAFE Program offers reliable education and fosters a compassionate community with the aim of reducing stigma, enhancing coping skills and promoting advocacy.
Weill Cornell Medicine remains committed to advancing widespread access to life-saving resources and providing continued education to overcome the stigma of addiction and improve substance use outcomes in our community.