The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office has acquired Narcan for use against the increased abuse of heroin and other opiates in our county. In recent years, heroin and opiate-related overdoses and deaths have increased significantly. Statistics from the Ingham County Health Department show that the problem is growing. The number of overdose deaths in Ingham County involving opioids tripled from 2001 to 2013. In January through August 2015, Ingham County has had 54 overdose incidents. So far in September there have been 24 additional incidents reported.
Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth states, “Our deputies now have access to Narcan in their cars, which when administered can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose and potentially saving the life of the victim.”
Quite often deputies arrive on the scene of drug overdoses with unconscious subjects prior to medical first responders. In these cases they can now administer Narcan which reduces the side effects of the substance the individuals have overdosed on. Persons who have overdosed and receive Narcan will still be transported to the hospital where they are seen by a doctor before being released. If Narcan is administered to someone who isn’t experiencing an opiate overdose, the drug is benign and has virtually no effect or side effects.
Sheriff Wriggelsworth says that “if deputies are able to save just one life, this program will have been a great success.”
Source: Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
