By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Deputies in Thurston County are now carrying a medication in their patrol cars that can help save lives when minutes count.
Beginning today, the opioid overdose medication Naloxone is an extra tool available to deputies, in the event that they arrive on the scene of an overdose before the medics.
“This problem appears to be getting worse and more widespread,” Thurston County Undersheriff Timothy Braniff stated in a news release. “We need to be prepared to help anyone who we come in contact with who may have succumbed to this addiction.”
Naloxone is a nasal spray designed to reverse the depressive effects of opioids on the respiratory system and may counteract the effects of a heroin or other opioid overdose, according to the sheriff’s office. Opioids include heroin and many other powerful prescription pain killers.
Thurston County Public Health and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office worked collaboratively to equip patrol deputies with the prescription medicine.
At any given time, there are at least a half dozen patrol deputies on the job around the county, according to Sgt. Kenneth Clark.
“We’ve had cases when a deputy is two blocks away, and it’s five to six minutes for the fire department to arrive,” Clark said. “That could mean the difference between life and death.”
Previously, deputies could start CPR, but now they have this additional way to help, until medics get there and take over, he said.
They are the first law enforcement agency in Thurston County to carry the drug, according to Clark.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to call 911 if a friend or loved one may be experiencing an overdose. The symptoms of an opioid overdose can include unresponsiveness, absence of breathing or no pulse, and bluish lips or finger nail beds, according to the sheriff’s office. When suffering from an opioid overdose minutes count if the person’s life is going to be saved, they state.
The sheriff’s office reminds the public that recent changes in the law have provided protection against prosecution for possession of a controlled substance when a person seeks medical assistance for a person who is experiencing a drug-related overdose. The law also provides similar protections from prosecution for the person who may have suffered an overdose, according to the sheriff’s office.
“There’s a lot of people who recognize we have the problem, and this is a way of potentially helping,” Clark said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
This is a complete waste, they should be available for the doper or his family at any pharmacy. The police have enough to do. Oh yea, and good grief says, “put that disease in remission with treatment”. It’s not cancer FOOL, it’s a choice that leads to a dependency. Addiction doesn’t go into remission, you are either an active user or not. SMFH at your lack of basic knowledge.
Klynn – I think YOU should ride along and make those life and death decisions. Then I think YOU should face the families and learn who the person is beneath the disease. YOU want to play God? Get after it, boy.
PS – you are an idiot. And I don’t often call names on here. There is MOUNDS of evidence that it is a “real” disease. And guess what? LOTS of moms, dads, sisters and brothers can and have put that disease in remission with treatment. You, however, will remain stupid for life.
This makes me happy to see. I hope that it will save more lives, opiates are a terrible addiction and it’s very sad to see anyone struggling with them. I wouldn’t wish an addiction to drugs on my worst enemy.
How many lives are lost annually in Lewis Co. due to opioid overdose? Is it actually a mass event that requires an increase in training/responsibility for our L.E. What is the taxpayer cost impact?
So will they also be carrying epi pens, insulin, etc etc? You know, for actual disease? They can just as easily come across someone in dire need of these as well.
I am very happy to see this. Hopefully this will save a lot of lives.
What is the new law, when did it go into effect, this is a key piece of information. Someone could make a life and death decision over another person….because they did not know. The old law made a person guilty of manslaughter or murder for the delivery of a drug that caused another person to die. Also, my last question is the chain of command for the decision to administer the Naloxone, is it the deputy’s decision or a medical person via radio?
This medicine should be available to all people at Wal-Mart or any drug store. It should also be given to all pain management patients who are prescribed Opiates as common practice. It’s so sad that our Government Law makers have destroyed what real freedom is. When an alcoholic abruptly quits drinking they can have a seizure and die, yet alcohol is sold everywhere you look. Law Enforcement has and still is kicking in doors all over America for Marijuana. Yet in a few states it’s legal. The War on Drugs is a failure and will continue to destroy our country and destroys millions of more innocent lives until drugs are legalized across the board. Since the dawn of time mankind has used mind altering substances to make themselves feel better. No one has a right to tell you what you can and cannot put in you’re body. As long as you’re actions don’t effect others then your body is your body and not the Government’s. Sad thing is our Community is being poisioned by a deadly Neurotoxin daily and very few people realize the long term effects that it’s having on the Children and their future health. It’s time to tell this Government where they can go. We are just Slaves for the New World Order Globalists in charge of this shadow Government. Research the facts and vite with your dollars Lewis County.