Law Enforcement and 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.

    What are some success stories of law enforcement overdose reversal programs?

    Below are a few example law enforcement agencies that have overdose response programs:

    Quincy, MA, Police Department

    Resources: 

    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.

    New York Department of Criminal Justice Services Officer Interview

    Date: 
    May, 2014
    Contributor: 
    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service
    Resource Type: 
    Video

    New York Police Department (NYPD) Officers speaking of their experience using and administering naloxone to prevent fatal opioid overdoses. Film by Joshua Vinehout, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.

    Ocean County, NJ, Police Get Drug Overdose Antidote

    Date: 
    Feb, 2014
    Contributor: 
    NJTV News
    Resource Type: 
    Video

     

    Ocean County police officers learned how to administer the medication naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. Video courtesy of NJTV news and the Ocean County, NJ, Prosecutor's Office.

    Ocean County, NJ, Police Get Drug Overdose Antidote

    Date: 
    Feb, 2014
    Contributor: 
    NJTV News
    Resource Type: 
    Video

     

    Ocean County police officers learned how to administer the medication naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose. Video courtesy of NJTV news and the Ocean County, NJ, Prosecutor's Office.

    Are there any collective bargaining issues associated with law enforcement overdose rescue programs?

    Some labor unions may consider opioid overdose response and associated training as a change in work conditions or an additional duty, raising the possibility of contract renegotiation. Collective bargaining unit representatives should be consulted early in the process and given the opportunity to address personnel and occupational safety concerns. Agencies concerned about collective bargaining issues can make officer participation in overdose reversal a voluntary activity.

    How can implementing agencies benefit from an overdose response program?

    There are a number of collateral benefits to the officers, implementing agencies, as well as to the public at large that are associated with implementing a law enforcement overdose response program. First and foremost, the program can lead to the reversal of possibly fatal overdoses in the community. Additionally, individual officers have cited improved job satisfaction rooted in improved ability to “do something” at the scene of an overdose. Implementing departments report improved community relations, leading to better intelligence-gathering capabilities.

    Resources: 

    A Heroin Epidemic and Changing Attitudes Towards Marijuana

    Date: 
    Aug, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Police Executive Research Forum
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    The summary of the Police Executive Research Forum’s National Summit on Illegal Drugs, held on April 16, 2014, in Washington, DC, which focused on two major issues: the growing epidemic of prescription opioid and heroin abuse and the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington State (as well as medical marijuana in many other jurisdictions).

    Rhode Island State Police Administration Press Release

    Date: 
    May, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Rhode Island State Police
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Sample law enforcement agency press release for saving an overdose victim after using naloxone.

    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).

    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.

    Does naloxone reverse any overdose?

    Naloxone only works on overdoses caused by opioids. This family of drugs includes prescription painkillers like OxyContin, fentanyl, methadone, and Vicodin, as well as street drugs like heroin. Naloxone will not reverse overdose resulting from non-opioid drugs, like cocaine, benzodiazepines (“benzos”), or alcohol. Given how safe naloxone is, a victim of a non-opioid overdose, or an overdose caused by a mixture of drugs will not be harmed by naloxone.

    Rhode Island State Police Administration Press Release

    Date: 
    May, 2014
    Contributor: 
    Rhode Island State Police
    Resource Type: 
    Resource Document

    Sample law enforcement agency press release for saving an overdose victim after using naloxone.

    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.

    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.