Riverside Police Now Equipped with Lifesaving Overdose Antidote

Submitted by the Riverside Police Department.

Riverside has joined the DuPage County Narcan Program. Now, their officers, when patrolling the streets and working in our schools, will carry Narcan in their squads, a lifesaving antidote to opiate drug overdose.

The DuPage County Narcan Program was created in 2013 to address increased heroin use in fatal overdose incidents.

Riverside Police partnered with Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity to fund the program, which provided two doses of nasal Narcan for each officer, a Pelican hard carrying case, and all associated material for the program, including training.

Lieutenant William Gutschick was instrumental in this program, working with the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, the DuPage County Narcan Program, vendors, and setting up training.

Riverside Sergeants Pontrelli and Miller and Officer Navarro were educated in recognizing indicators of heroin and other opiate overdoses and how to properly administer Narcan (also known as Naloxone) if they arrive on scene before the paramedics. Narcan is administered via nasal spray, potentially reversing an overdose before it results in a fatality. These officers then trained all other Riverside officers.

“Narcan, a brand name for Naloxone, can immediately reverse the effects of an overdose. It has few side effects and doesn’t cause harm if given to a person who has not overdosed on opiates. We want to provide our officers with the tools necessary to save a life if they respond to an emergency or come upon a victim before paramedics arrive,” said Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel. “If an officer can save even one life, this will have been a great success.”

Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity President Charlotte (Charlie) Zia stated, “I cannot say enough about the police in

Riverside, from training their officers, who can now teach their fellow officers, to the Chief, who embraced the idea and dedicated the resources to making this work. Funding by Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity was voted on by our membership and won overwhelming support for this lifesaving antidote. We’re proud to partner with Riverside Police Department in this effort.”

Chief Weitzel went on to say, “The Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity was the driving force behind the program upstart.

They came to us (the police) and asked if they could fund the program and for that I am thankful. I can say without hesitation their donation will save lives”.