'Isaiah Bags' Distributed To Johns Creek Police

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The Johns Creek Police Department on Tuesday was provided with kits designed to add a layer of protection for officers responding to calls of opioid overdoses in the city. The Isaiah Bags were distributed by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard during the county's Heroin Task Force meeting. The bags include items such as gloves, masks, eye protection and shoe covers.

Tuesday's gathering, dubbed the Isaiah Ward Fulton County Heroin Working Group Discussion, consisted of community leaders, health advocates and families affected by opioid addiction. The group's name is in memory of eight-year-old Isaiah Ward, an Atlanta child who was hit and killed by a driver who was high on heroin. Ryan Lisabeth was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the fatal collision.

In 2017, more than 425 suffering from an opioid-related overdose in Fulton County were saved by Narcan, a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of overdoses brought on by the use of heroin, codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine and oxycodone. There were 109 heroin/opioid related deaths in Fulton County in 2017. From 2010 to 2016, the total number of opioid-involved overdose deaths increased by 117 percent, from 426 to 929 deaths.

On Wednesday, the task force will offer a detailed progress report on the heroin crisis and efforts Fulton County has made to stamp out the problem. Some of those initiatives include County Commissioners in 2017 passing a resolution establishing an action plan to curtail opioid use and abuse and provide education on the the topic.

The Board of Commissioners also approved allocating $49,000 for the distribution of Narcan to all first responders in the county. The Heroin Working Group is also coordinating with members of Congress to push for efforts to support its cause. Another project, a heroin helpline, should be completed in the spring of this year. Referral cards will be given to all first responders so they can distribute on scene.

Images via Fulton County District Attorney's Office