LA Deputies Add Overdose Drug To Arsenal In Pilot Program

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced Thursday a pilot program in which some patrol deputies will be equipped with Narcan — an anti- opioid nasal spray they can administer in emergencies to help save the lives of people suspected of overdosing.

"We need to understand what is driving the addictions and equip ourselves with the knowledge and the means to prevent the opioid and heroin epidemic which has devastated the northeast and parts of the midwest from taking root in L.A. County," McDonnell said at a news conference at the Hall of Justice.

The anti-opioid medication "naloxone," known by its brand name Narcan, will be packaged as a single-dose, four-milligram nasal spray. The drug blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, McDonnell said.

"On a daily basis, law enforcement personnel are the first to arrive at the scene of a medical emergency," sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck said in a statement.

"Many of these patients are suffering opioid overdose emergencies and require immediate assistance," Peck said. "Unfortunately, an average of 91 people per day nationwide become fatal statistics from prescription opioid overdose because they did not receive care during critical moments."

Many patients who receive prescription opioid medication for chronic pain, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, become addicted, and when the prescription runs out, they may turn to illegally obtained drugs like heroin and fentanyl.

However, there are wide variations in the quality and strength of the illegal narcotics, and that contributes to overdoses. In April of this year, there were eight opioid overdoses within a three-day period in the Santa Clarita area, with one death.

Under the pilot program, more than 1,200 doses of Narcan will be issued to deputy personnel assigned to Crescenta Valley, East Los Angeles and Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's stations, along with the department's Community Colleges and Parks Bureaus.

The program is being conducted through partnership with Safe Med LA, a consortium of public health, government and law enforcement partners to conduct a coordinated and multi-pronged approach of addressing prescription drug abuse.

The sheriff's department also was awarded a grant for an additional 5,000 doses, and eventually every deputy working in the field will be issued one atomizer of the drug, authorities said.

The program has its roots in the personal life of sheriff's Cmdr. Judy Gerhardt, whose 23-year-old nephew Maxwell "Macky" Baker died six months ago from a heroin overdose, Peck said.

"Despite having all the benefits of growing up in an affectionate family as the son of a physician and with relatives in law enforcement, Macky had a heroin addiction since he was 15 years old," Peck said.

"His dependence began with the consumption of prescribed opioids and quickly progressed. At 22 years of age, Macky sought help and, after much dedication, weaned himself from the deadly narcotic. He attended college, earned an associate of arts degree and was on his way to wonderful things -- until an injurious car accident led him to require surgery for a broken hand and (to require) pain medication," Peck said.

"Macky was upfront with the doctors about his former addiction, but the pain was so intense, it required relief from the use of prescription opioid medication. Regrettably, less than one month later, it was discovered Macky renewed his connection with heroin and suffered a fatal overdose," Peck said.

— City News Service, photo courtesy of the LASD