Local Police Get New Tool To Save Lives Of Overdose Victims

Bucks County police have a new tool to help save lives.

Falls Township and Middletown police officers will be among the first in Bucks County to carry lifesaving anti-opioid overdose antidote Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan. Officers from Lower Makefield, Morrisville, Newtown joined the Levittown-area cops in getting their single doses Thursday afternoon.

Lower Makefield police Chief Ken Coluzzi told reporters and gathered officials that the officers from the department who received the doses have all been certified to respond to an opioid overdose and use the reversal treatment. He said officers will no longer be “powerless” while they await medics to arrive at the scene of an overdose call. Other departments will be adding the doses over the next year.

During an overdose, the victim’s brain is slowly starved of oxygen, which can cause serious and life-threatening damage in a matter of minutes. Dr. Ken Lavelle, who works for Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia and local EMS agencies, said police are usually first to arrive at overdose calls and can administer Narcan through a nasal atomiser and help save the overdose victim.

“This is just another tool in the arsenal to save lives,” Coluzzi said.

Yardley-Makefield Emergency Medical Services Deputy Operations Chief Dennis Wallace said paramedics have always been able to administer Narcan, but it is sometimes too late by the time they arrive.

Since November, 183 doses of Narcan have been used by medics throughout Bucks County, Wallace said.

The Narcan given to officers were in a small case that will protect the medicine that has a shelf life of two years.

Law enforcement from multiple towns told LevittownNow.com they expect the drug to be beneficial for their officers.

“It’s clear – heroin kills and Narcan saves,” Bucks County’s Chief of Prosecution Matt Weintraub said.

While not every overdose victim can be saved, officials touted the success police in New Jersey have had since they received Narcan in 2014.

In November, former Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law legislation that would make Narcan more available to police and the public. The law also provides immunity from criminal prosecution to those who help overdose victims.

On Thursday, the more than 300 doses given to police were purchased by the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Council and Steps to Recovery. Coluzzi said he hopes private donations and funding help purchase future doses, which retail for around $50.

“If [the victim] doesn’t live, there is no chance for recovery.”