When it comes to treating an opiate overdose, Lieutenant BCI Brent Davison of the New York State Police described the tool that has been saving lives across the state in one word: “miraculous.”
The tool is Naloxone, or more commonly known as Narcan.
Classified as an opioid antagonist, Naloxone is a drug that reverses the effects of opiate overdose. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Naloxone injection is a liquid that can be injected into a vein, muscle, skin or nasal cavity. The drug is normally given to relieve opiate side effects surgery patients may experience when given certain painkillers. But, in recent years, it has found a new yet similar purpose.
As a result of increasing heroin-related deaths, law enforcement and health services officials all over the state have been trained to use Narcan. This past August, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced free Narcan training sessions offered by Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services across the state.
Since the program began, Davison said there have been 39 uses of the antidote with 28 successful saves throughout the state.
“It’s very powerful,” Davison said. “Where they are not responsive at all to any kind of stimulation, they get this drug given to them and they become conscious.”
Just this year, Clinton County Deputy Sheriff Kristen Brassard said all officers have been trained to use Narcan.
“It’s not only saving their life. but saving their family members from having to deal with an unexpected death and giving these people second chances to make things right and give them an opportunity to start over.”
Email Brian Molongoski at managingeditor@cardinalpointsonline.com
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