Atlanta Police Department to Carry the Opiate Inhibitor Narcan

Staff Report

The Atlanta Police Department has trained more than 100 Officers in the Zone 1 area of Atlanta in the use of Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan. Atlanta Police Officers will carry the nasal form of Narcan which is a drug that can reverse an opiate overdose instantly in cases where the overdose is apparent and medical help has not arrived yet. Police are often the first to arrive at the scene, and in many cases those first few minutes are key to saving a life.

An overdose of heroin or other opiates such as oxycodone or hydrocodone can suppress breathing and leave the person unconscious. Left alone long enough, the person can die. Research shows there is zero risk of misuse and if it is used on someone not high on an opiate, it has no effect. Typically, the counteracting effects of Naloxone occur 1 to 3 minutes after use and have lasting effects for 30 to 90 minutes. Narcan will not reverse the effects of other types of drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine.

Fatal unintentional drug overdoses are on the rise across the country claiming over 36,000 lives per year and over half of these deaths are caused by opioids. Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, has seen the biggest increase in the metropolitan area. Heroin deaths rose from 24 to 31 from 2012 to 2013. In the City of Atlanta there have been more than 25 deaths in 2014.

“This program has had great success around the nation,” said Chief George Turner. “If there is a way for our officers to save a life by using Narcan, then that will be incredible. We are proud to be a part of something that allows us to continue to protect and serve the community.”

The Atlanta Police Department is one of the largest agencies in the country to take preliminary steps to purchase and issue Nasal Narcan kits to first responders to assist Atlanta Fire and Rescue, American Medical Response, and Grady EMS in reversing opioid overdoses.