What is a law enforcement overdose reversal program?

    Law enforcement overdose reversal programs are designed to teach law enforcement officers to recognize and reverse an active opioid overdose using naloxone. The idea is that providing law enforcement with the knowledge and the tools to reverse overdoses in the field can reduce the time between when an opioid overdose victim is discovered and when they receive lifesaving assistance. Law enforcement overdose rescue programs are similar to the already widespread efforts to train police in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). See a list of existing law enforcement overdose response programs.

    Resources: 

    Expanded Access to Naloxone

    Date: 
    Jun, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Bureau of Justice Assistance
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Provides an overview of policy changes in Massachusetts where several communities have equipped emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, and firefighters with naloxone.

    Law Enforcement and Naloxone Utilization in the United States

    Date: 
    Jun, 2015
    Contributor: 
    North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    The document is a presentation the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition gave to the Food and Drug Administration and shares information about U.S. law enforcement naloxone programs; North Carolina law enforcement naloxone programs and their attitudes toward carrying naloxone; EMS and law enforcement cooperation to decrease overdose mortality; implementation of naloxone programs; and more.

    Lieutenant Detective Pat Glynn: Saving Lives with Narcan

    Date: 
    Jun, 2012
    Contributor: 
    North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    Lieutenant Detective Pat Glynn, Commander of the Special Investigations/Narcotics Unit of the Quincy, MA, Police Department, shares some impressive results where opioid overdose deaths have been greatly reduced by officers carrying naloxone, or Narcan. This video was recorded at the Law Enforcement Safety and Drug Policy Summit, coordinated by the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, June 12, 2012, in Raleigh, NC.