Forsyth Deputy Saves Teen Overdose Victim

CUMMING, GA -- A 17-year-old who was overdosing on heroin may owe his life to a quick-thinking deputy.

Early Monday morning, Forsyth County Sheriff's Deputy Rodney Pirkle responded to a call and found the teen apparently suffering from an overdose.

A post from the sheriff's office says Pirkle quickly administered a dose of Naloxone, a drug designed to counteract the effects of heroin during an overdose.

The teen became conscious and was being treated at a nearby hospital Monday, the post said.

"He is alive today thanks to Deputy Pirkle," it reads.

The Naloxone program was started up last year in Forsyth County and has been recently adopted by law-enforcement agencies throughout the region.

Officers undergo specific training on how to administer the drug, as well as how to recognize the signs of a heroin overdose.

The Facebook post went on to highlight work the sheriff's office has done in the field of drug awareness and prevention.

"This is one of the reasons our Sheriff's Office has increased drug education classes in the schools through our CHAMPS program," the post reads. "We are working to help teens headed in the wrong direction though our TIP program, and we are educating families through our Drug Summits.

"We urge everyone to do their part to keep our community healthy and safe."

(Photo courtesy Forsyth County Sheriff's Office)