Holly Springs Police Recognized For Naloxone Program

Sign up for the Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter!

---

The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police on Monday recognized the Holly Springs Police Department as a finalist for the Dr. Curtis McClung/Motorola Award of Excellence.

This award honors “achievements in innovative programs that have an impact upon a police department’s mission, goals and objectives, affects the quality of life in the community and enhances professionalism in law enforcement,“ Holly Springs police said in a press release.

While over 60 departments statewide submitted a nomination for the award, only three were chosen as finalists: Holly Springs police, Conyers Police Department and Marietta Police Department.

The Holly Springs Police Department was recognized for its groundbreaking Naloxone program, which was introduced in 2014 and equips officers with the authority and items necessary to reverse an opiate-induced drug overdose.

During the program’s creation phase, Chief Ken Ball gave full support to former Lt. Tanya Smith, who joined the ranks of other concerned officers at the Georgia State Capitol to advocate for the passage of House Bill 965.

This new law allowed police departments to purchase and use a new form of Naloxone, which is delivered in the form of a nasal spray.

Each Holly Springs officer received training in the use of the product and its significance, as many local agencies are seeing a marked increase in the use of opioids and subsequent overdoses of those drugs.

Naloxone was placed in every Holly Springs patrol car. One week later, the agency became the first in the state to save a life using Naloxone.

Since May 2014, this police department program has been directly responsible for 13 saved lives. Other agencies across Georgia and in other states such as California and Florida have implemented some form of the program.

---

Photo credit: Holly Springs Police