Dedham Police Have a New Tool to Fight Opioid Overdoses
All Dedham Police Department cruisers will now carry nasal Narcan, an “opioid antagonist’’ that can immediately reverse the effects of overdoses from heroin, OxyContin, Percocet, and other opiates.
“Narcan is an important emergency medical tool in this day and age,’’ said Dedham Police Chief Michael J. d’Entremont in a statement. “While we vigorously enforce the drug laws and work to educate the public on the evils associated with heroin use and opioid abuse, we also must be prepared to respond to those who are potentially caught in its fatal grip.’’
A rise in heroin overdoses in Massachusetts led Governor Deval Patrick to declare a public health emergency earlier this year. Equipping first responders with Narcan was one measure that Gov. Patrick asked Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett to implement in order to stem overdose deaths.
In March, Dedham Police Officer Jason Sullivan attended a training program on nasal naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, hosted by Norfolk DA Michael W. Morrissey. Sullivan went on to train all members of the Dedham Police Department in the use of the drug.
“Although we would prefer never to have to use something like Narcan, I am proud that both the Dedham Police and Fire Departments have trained themselves to use it to potentially save human lives,’’ said Dedham Town Manager Jim Kern.
A New York Times story published earlier this year reported that, since all police in Quincy, Mass. began carrying naloxone in October of 2010, overdose deaths dropped by 70 percent.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com