Victor Nelson III recently completed a standout career for the Poughkeepsie High School boys basketball team, scoring his 1,000th career point on Senior Night and earning distinction as the Dutchess County Basketball Coaches Association’s Player of the Year.
Nelson will be on TV tonight and several more times this month across New York – and the reasons have nothing to do with athletics.
The senior saved a man’s life from a drug overdose in December 2024, using the tools he learned in Sean Lauder’s health class. His story and Lauder’s class are being highlighted in a new 30-minute special created by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, which is appearing on network television.
Nelson obtained the Narcan used to save the man through OASAS’ harm reduction program in which it sends free doses of the overdose treatment drug to anyone who visits the agency’s site and orders it. Lauder teaches each chapter of his class how to do navigate the site.
Last year, the state department visited the high school to talk to Nelson and Lauder about their experience, creating a video that is now being used as part of the special, which is also available in its entirety online now; the segment featuring Nelson and Lauder begins at the 3:50 mark.
The television schedule for the Poughkeepsie region includes:

• WPIX (channel 11) March 11 and March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
• WABC (channel 7) March 14 at 7 p.m.
• WNYW (channel 5) March 15 at 11 a.m.
• WCBS (channel 2) March 19 at 10:30 a.m.
• WNBC (channel 4) March 21 at 7 p.m.

It also has been appearing on television stations in all other areas across the state. Visit OASAS’ site for the full schedule.
Nelson, on Dec. 6, 2024, was in a barbershop in the city when he saw a man pacing the sidewalk apparently asking for help. Then, the man came through the door clutching his neck, saying he couldn’t breathe. He asked if anyone had Narcan. Nelson retrieved it from his bag and administered the drug, just like he learned in class.
“It just happened fast. I had to act fast. It was a little scary. Someone was dying,” Nelson said. “Once he got the Narcan, he kind of laid back and started to chill. Then he got emotional, thanking me that I saved him.”
Lauder called it “probably one of my proudest moments as a teacher.”
The Board of Education honored Nelson at a meeting that December and the school gave Nelson “A Hero’s Merit Award” Certificate of Excellence during a schoolwide assembly.
Tune in to hear from Nelson and Lauder all this month.