All FCSO Deputies Will Be Equipped With Narcan Kits To Treat Opioid Overdoses

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Flagler County, FL - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) says that all of its deputies will now be equipped with Narcan medicine kits, which can reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. According to FCSO, Narcan, or Naloxone, is a prescription medication which can help reverse the effects of opioids by blocking opioids in the brain for 30 to 90 minutes. In response to an increase in opioid-related deaths in Florida, FCSO applied for a Naloxone Kit Grant through the Florida Sheriffs Association several months ago. That grant was recently approved. There are two Narcan nasal spray packets per package, so deputies will carry two doses on them at all times. "We just got the kits a couple of weeks ago, so they are starting to distribute them to deputies now. Deputies must go through training. Once the deputies are trained to administer the Narcan, then they will be issued the kits to carry on them," says Brittany Kershaw, Public Affairs Officer for FCSO. In cases of suspected opioid abuse, Narcan can be used by deputies to treat the effects of opioids like heroin, oxycodone, methadone, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, opium, hydrocodone, and name-brand drugs such as Percocet, Vicodin, and Demerol. The newly administered Narcan kits will allow FCSO deputies to respond more quickly in these types of cases before medical personnel arrives. “There has been great success throughout Florida with the use of Narcan in saving the lives of people who have overdosed,” says Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “We must find a way to end the opioid deaths in our communities. Law enforcement is often the first to arrive on scene, so having our deputies equipped with this life-saving medication is imperative.” Photo of Narcan kit courtesy FCSO Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
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