New Castle County Police's decision to train its officers in the use of NARCAN as an intranasal application had immediate results when Patrol Officer J. Smith saved a man's life in the Hidden Valley Apartment Complex on May 18.
Officer Smith had just been trained and equipped with deployment of the NARCAN drug by New Castle County Paramedics on May 14. At approximately 3 p.m. Monday, May 18 he responded to the 500 Block of Homestead Road in the Hidden Valley Apartment Complex for a CPR in progress. There, he located a roommate administering CPR to the 35-year-old male patient. Officer Smith administered the intranasal NARCAN drug and the victim eventually began to breathe again on his own.
New Castle County Paramedics along with the Elsmere Fire Department continued treatment of the patient who was later transported to the Christiana Hospital for continued treatment.
New Castle County Executive Thomas Gordon said the use of NARCAN as an intranasal application was another tool in the toolbox to help New Castle County Police officers save lives.
“We have seen the negative effects of the heroin epidemic and we responded by educating the youth through the Heroin Alert Program," he said. "New Castle County has allotted $500,000 to further expand the program, which allowed me to oversee the launch of the HeroinTrap.com campaign. New Castle County employees are now able to both educate and save people effected by heroin.”
Director of Public Safety Joseph Bryant, Jr. states “The Department of Public Safety strives to deliver exceptional service to members of the community. The Division of Police and the Division of Emergency Medical Services worked tirelessly to develop a policy and the training for our officers. The end result is the rescue of a man suffering from an apparent opioid overdose through the use of NARCAN.”
NCCPD Chief Colonel Elmer Setting states “Our officers are equipped with the best technology to help solve crimes, and now we have equipped a few select officers with NARCAN to help save the lives of citizens in our communities.
"The kits were deployed only a few weeks ago and have already helped save a life," he added. "This is yet another example of exemplary police work and incorporating new ideas to serve all of our citizens, especially those in need of immediate life saving measures.”
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