Chief Tim Lentz announces that Covington Police officers have been equipped with a new tool to combat fatal drug overdoses in the field. Starting today, each officer has been equipped with nasal naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Opioids, a category of drugs that includes heroin, as well as prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl, are increasingly being abused in the United States, leading to an alarming number of deaths from overdoses.
The narcotic effects of an opioid overdose can slow or stop a person’s breathing. Naloxone, commonly known under the brand name Narcan, is used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdoses as an antidote to reverse these effects.
Chief Lentz would like to acknowledge and thank St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Dr. Charles Preston, who personally trained each officer in the use of nasal naloxone.
“It’s vital for law enforcement to have every tool possible to save lives,” said St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston. “I’m very happy to provide this training and commend Chief Lentz for taking the lead in this program.”
Naloxone has minimal side effects, and is not dangerous if administered to a person that is not experiencing an opioid overdose. Police officers are often the first emergency responders to arrive on scene of emergency calls for service. Now that officers have been trained in the use of nasal naloxone and carry it while on duty, it enables them to rapidly provide emergency treatment to overdose victims more quickly than ever.
“So many people fall victim to fatal drug overdoses every day. By equipping our officers with this life-saving tool, we hope that some of these victims may get a second chance at life,” said Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, opioid overdoses killed more than 28,000 people in 2014 alone. Equipped with this tool, Covington Police officers are now capable of providing immediate, life-saving care to patients that might otherwise fall victim to a fatal overdose.
Address/Location
Covington Police Department
609 North Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 985-892-8500
