Officer receives lifesaving award for use of naloxone in heroin overdose
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (KFSM) The holidays can be a stressful time, and for those battling substance abuse or mental illness, a pandemic holiday season could bring even more pressure.
According to the CDC, the most dangerous times of the year for drug-and alcohol-related deaths are December, January and March.
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Naloxone has been used by emergency medical services for decades, but law enforcement officers weren t typically equipped with naloxone until recent years, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
FPD officers began carrying naloxone in 2018, and the Washington County Sheriff s Office saved a life using Naloxone for the first time ever in 2020.
The Washington County Sheriff s Office (WCSO) announced on May 12, 2020, it had received 116 new Narcan kits via the State Targeted Response grant after 116 sworn WCSO deputies completed the Arkansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Overdose training through the Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute (CJI).
On May 30, 2020, WCSO used naloxone for the first time and saved a life as a result.