STATE TROOPERS NOW HAVE PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE TO MODERATE OPIOID OVERDOES
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas State Troopers are routinely the primary first responders across Arkansas involving incidents of substance abuse and addiction. Now they have a new tool to combat the ever increasing crisis that is Opioid overdose.
The U.S. Office of the Attorney General in September 2016 issued a memorandum calling the opioid epidemic a “public health crisis.” The memorandum called for the use of a prescription medicine called Naloxone (also known as Narcan) to prevent overdose deaths.
Governor Asa Hutchinson has been at the forefront of this campaign, seeking statewide support in fighting the opioid addiction problem. “I applaud the Arkansas State Police in its effort to stem the tide of overdose deaths by expanding access to the life-saving drug Naloxone and ensuring a pathway to treatment and recovery for those struggling with addiction,” said Governor Hutchinson.
Narcan can be administered to anyone since there are no negative side effects from the drug. The prescription medication will only have an effect on someone who is suffering an opiate overdose, due to its ability to attach to the opiate receptor in the brain.
“It is imperative for the Arkansas State Police to be able to help the citizens of this state. With troopers in every county of Arkansas, we want to make sure that if we are the first responders to an overdose situation, we can appropriately and effectively save someone’s life,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police.
Each state trooper is being trained and issued two doses of Narcan nasal spray, giving people suffering from an opiate overdose a greater chance of survival.
While I hate to disagree with the ASP, I take exception with their statement that they are the “primary first responders” in an overdose situation.the true “primary first responders” are city and county LEOs, as well as our volunteer fire departments.
It’s great that the ASP is carrying Narcan, but I think ALL of the true first responders should too.
just wondering what situation would come up that emergency ambulance, fire dept, or first responders or just a plain ride to the emergency room wouldn’t take care of? pleas post the first time that state troopers use this drug.
Narcan is used when the person who has overdosed will die without immediate aid – there wouldn’t be time for “a plain ride to the emergency room”. Records on Narcan intervention by state troopers would be difficult, if not impossible to get, as that would be medical information. Perhaps after six months we can find out how many times it’s been used by ASP – thanks for the story idea!
I would think a person could get to an emergency room as quick as some troopers take to ,respond to a drug overdose call
And that is, as stated in my original comment, is why local LEOs and volunteer fire department first responders, as well as EMTs are the ones who REALLY need to carry it.