Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that all 27 police agencies in Essex County will receive Narcan kits to launch a program to assist local law enforcement in treating individuals suspected of overdosing on heroin or other opiates.
“Today, 250 Narcan kits will be given to local law enforcement agencies. The goal of this program is to equip every police department in Essex County, including campus police and others, to be able to immediately render life-saving assistance to someone who is overdosing on heroin or other opiates,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
Narcan, which is a trade name for Naloxone, has been successful in reversing the effects of an opiate overdose. It is a drug with no euphoric properties and minimal side effects. If administrated to a person who is not experiencing an overdose, it cannot harm the patient. It comes in nasal form and can easily be administered by someone with little or no medical background.
“Because police officers often arrive on the scene prior to emergency medical personnel, they will now be able to intervene and provide relief until back up help arrives,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
In May of 2013, Gov. Chris Christie signed into the law the Overdose Prevention Act. This law allows a physician to prescribe an opiate antidote Naloxone (Narcan) to anyone who may be in a position to assist another individual during an opiate overdose. During 2014, the State Attorney General’s Office set up a pilot program to train police officers on how to use Naloxone (Narcan) when responding to suspected overdoses.
In October 2014, all law enforcement agencies in Essex County attended a Train the Trainer session to learn to administer the opiate antidote. The training was provided by Essex County Hospital Center, Dr. Naipaul Rambaran, MD, ABAM, Medical Director, a certified addiction and rehabilitation specialist.
Acting Prosecutor Murray authorized the purchase of 250 Narcan kits to be distributed county-wide to all law enforcement agencies to initiate the program. The agencies will be responsible for replenishing these kits once they are depleted.
Nationwide a movement is underway to have police officers, first responders and even family members carry Narcan kits.
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Anthony Ambrose said all agencies are expected to begin picking up their kits today between 9 am and 1 p.m. at the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.
Acting Prosecutor Murray extended a special thanks to the Hospital Center, Director Frank Delgado and his staff and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo for their assistance in getting this important program off the ground.
Essex County Police Agencies Are Ready to Use Narcan to Prevent Overdosing
Newark