Redmond Police Institutes Narcan Program
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
March 2, 2017
CONTACT
Commander Charlie Gorman, Public Information Officer
cgorman@redmond.gov
425-556-2566
REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department
has now joined a number of departments across the country trained to administer
Nasal Naloxone (also known as Narcan) in an effort to decrease deaths from
opiate overdoses. Patrol and commissioned officers below the rank of commander
have recently been trained by Redmond Fire Department paramedics and have been
issued Narcan kits.
Under the new policy,
officers who have completed training can administer Narcan to someone who has
overdosed on opioids and is in respiratory distress. Officers are trained to
deliver the drug through the nostrils using an atomizer attachment.
Officers
are required to ensure scene safety for themselves, bystanders, and responding
EMS personnel prior to administering the drug and will monitor the individual
until Redmond Fire arrives.
“Over the last few years, our
officers, like many cities around us, have seen an increase in the number of
people under the influence of opiates, especially heroin. We don’t expect
to use Narcan frequently, but the kits are another tool officers can use. It's not a long-term solution for heroin issues, but is low-risk to use
and saves lives," said Chief Kristi Wilson.
Redmond Police responds to
roughly 15-20 overdose calls a year and a few of those are usually heroin-related.
Mike Hilley with the Redmond
Fire Department said that medics have already been administering Narcan, saying
“Redmond Fire Medic Unit 19 delivered 19 doses of Narcan in 2016. Medic
19 does respond outside the Redmond area on occasion, so a few of these uses
could have been delivered in other areas of the county."
The
drug is provided to the police department at no cost via a King County grant.
For questions and more information, contact Commander Charlie Gorman at cgorman@redmond.gov or 425-556-2566.
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