On November 20, 2022, Corinne Kaufman’s beautiful granddaughter Paige Gibbons passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose just four days after her 19th birthday. Kaufman channeled her grief by launching “Families Against Fentanyl,” which advocates for getting Narcan kits in every middle and high school nurse’s office and making fentanyl test strips readily available.

Last summer, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton and other Legislative Minority members introduced the “Families Against Fentanyl” law, which requires fentanyl detecting test strips to be bundled with Narcan kits distributed by the County. The law also authorizes the Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities to provide strips upon request directly to residents.

In March, the Nassau County Legislature recognized Corinne as a Women’s History Month Trailblazer for her relentless advocacy in the fight to prevent fentanyl overdoses and deaths on Long Island.

If you or a loved one is in need of assistance with substance abuse and addiction, please call Nassau County’s 24/7 Behavioral Health Helpline at 516-227-7057.