Deputies now armed with opioid overdose antidote

Logan County deputies are now armed with something new in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The opioid overdose antidote; Naloxone, or commonly known as Narcan, is now available to all patrol deputies. Narcan is a medication that can block the effects of not only heroin and other street drugs but also common pain medications and can potentially reverse an overdose.

After extensive training in how to recognize the signs of a possible opioid overdose, deputies were issued two vials of the potentially life saving medication. This medication is administered via a nasal spray. Shortly after implementing the Narcan program in Logan County, Undersheriff Troy Dykes responded to a call of an accidental overdose. Through his training, he was able to recognize this was a potential opioid overdose and was able to administer this medication. According to the Undersheriff, “after administering the Narcan nasal spray, he was awake and talking within about a minute or two.”

Oftentimes, in the remote areas of Logan County, a deputy is the first to arrive on the scene of an overdose. Many times deputies have initiated CPR for several minutes prior to EMS personnel arriving. Now, with Narcan available deputies will be able to administer this medication within minutes. Additionally, deputies can potentially come in contact with heroin or other opioid drugs while performing searches, and this medication can be used for their safety as well.

According to Dr. Bill Worden, Reserve Deputy Sheriff and Medical Director, this medication is very safe and easy for the deputies to use. Even if someone is not suffering an overdose from an opioid, the spray will not cause any harm to them if administered.

“This is certainly not the solution to the opioid crisis, but it is one more thing the sheriff’s office can do to help the citizens of Logan County,” said Sheriff Damon Devereaux. He added, “All of our patrol deputies are now trained to recognize and treat a potential overdose which can, many times, provide assistance several minutes before the ambulance would arrive.”

If you or someone you know needs help with an opioid addiction please call “2-1-1” to access 24 hour assistance. You can also learn more about the types of treatments that are available for addiction by visiting this weblink.