LAWRENCEVILLE - Effective Friday, May 22, officers of the Gwinnett County Police Department will be equipped with two very important life-saving tools in their patrol cars: AEDs and Naloxone (Narcan).
Police spokeswoman Corporal Michele Pihera said, "Earlier this year officers attended a training class about the use of the Cardiac Science G3 AED and the administration of Naloxone to treat some drug overdoses. As first responders, law enforcement officers are sometimes the first to encounter someone who is in medical distress. Because of this initiative, residents and commuters within Gwinnett County can expect officers to be equipped with these tools across every district, every shift, every day of the year."
Pihera added that Naloxone (Narcan) can be used to treat a narcotic drug overdose related to opioids or opiates.
Examples of opioids are:
- Fentanyl
- Demerol
- Oxycodone
- Methadone
Examples of opiates are:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Heroin
Pihera said, "Officers have been taught to watch for signs of medical distress with evidence of opioid or opiate use prior to administrating Naloxone (Narcan). These drugs will be contained within a compartment of the AED. A prescription is not required prior to the administration of Naloxone. Subjects who receive this drug will be given it through both nostrils. Following the administration of this drug, the patient will be transported to the local hospital for follow-up treatment because the effects of Naloxone are temporary."
"This drug cannot be used to treat possible overdoses of Cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, Sedatives, Tranquilizers, or Marijuana."
The cost to purchase 70 AEDs was just over $70,000. The cost to purchase 70 units of Naloxone was just over $1,500.
