Riverdale Merchants Trained to Reverse Opioid Overdoses
Local business owners learned how to use naloxone nasal spray to potentially save lives during emergency situations.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Business owners in Riverdale recently gathered to receive training on identifying and responding to opioid overdoses. The session equipped participants with the skills to administer life-saving medication in public settings.
Why it matters
Providing training to local merchants expands the network of individuals capable of responding to fatal emergencies. This effort ensures that front-line workers in the community are prepared to act quickly when an overdose occurs.
A state-registered trainer with 30 years of experience led the session, which is part of a larger initiative that has reached 7,000 individuals to date. While these trainings are ongoing, the specific efficacy rate for merchant-led interventions in this neighborhood remains under study.
The players
Lillian Neuman
A state-registered trainer who has spent 30 years helping people and has trained 7,000 individuals.
Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation
A community organization that hosts health and safety training sessions for local business owners.
The details
The naloxone nasal spray works by displacing opioids from receptors in the brain, effectively reversing the effects of an overdose for 30 to 90 minutes. Users are taught to peel the packaging, insert the device tip, and plunge the medication, then roll the person onto their side to prevent choking from potential vomiting. If there is no response, a second dose may be administered after a wait of two to three minutes.
Timeline
Lillian Neuman became a state-registered trainer in 2015.
Merchants attended the naloxone training session on September 22, 2026.
Health Landscape
These training sessions operate under the legal protections of New York state's 911 Good Samaritan Law and public health liability statutes. By codifying protections for responders, the state has shifted the treatment landscape to empower non-clinicians as essential first responders.
New York state law provides liability protection for those acting in good faith to assist someone during an overdose. If you witness a suspected overdose, calling 911 is the primary step, as the 911 Good Samaritan Law protects those seeking emergency assistance from certain criminal charges.
The takeaway
Empowering community members with naloxone training significantly increases the likelihood of survival during an opioid overdose emergency. If you are interested in becoming a trained responder, discuss available local resources and certification programs with your doctor or local health department.
Further reading
Learn more about community resources in New York City Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Riverdale Press.
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Should local businesses be trained and equipped to respond to opioid overdoses?
