Fulton To Purchase Drug Used To Reverse Heroin Overdoses

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ATLANTA, GA -- The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve funding $49,000 to supply emergency responders with the naloxone, a medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.

The resolution was sponsored by Fulton County Commission Vice-Chairman Liz Hausmann.

“As our county works to fight the violent downward spiral of heroin and opiate addiction, a tool like naloxone is essential to provide to our first responders in drug-related emergencies,” Hausmann said. “Plain and simple, anti-overdose medications save lives and are critical in our efforts in Fulton County to handle this crisis. It is a good first step to stem the tide of heroin deaths in our community from heroin overdose.”

The resolution authorized the development of a comprehensive plan for funding to equip and train first-responders on the use of naloxone, funding up to $49,000 for the initial purchase of naloxone. The medication would be distributed to emergency responders in jurisdictions throughout the county.

“I am pleased that Fulton County is addressing the growing heroin epidemic that is taking lives and destroying communities,” said Commission Chairman John Eaves. “The money we have set aside will allow us to begin to distribute naloxone to law enforcers across the county. If we can save even one life, it is money well spent. But be clear, this is only a start. There is much more we need to do to tackle the crisis.”

Naloxone can reverse the harmful and often fatal effects of overdoses from heroin and other opioids and is administered either by being squirted into the nose or injected into the upper arm or thigh of the person experiencing an overdose.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab noticed a 300 percent increase in samples of seized heroin between 2011 and 2014. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office reported a total of 19 heroin-related deaths in 2013 with that number increasing to 77 the following year.

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