Sheriff's Deputies Learn How to Reverse Heroin Overdoses

Photo: Deputy Shadle, Deputy Dial, Deputy French and Sheriff Dwight A. Baird pose for a photo. The sheriff’s office recently received training to administer Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is used to saving lives, but with some recent training they’re going to be able to save even more.

Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies recently received training in order to administer Intranasal Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

Narcan is administered to help reverse the effects of opioids such as heroin, methadone and oxycodone. The training was conducted at the Kendall County Public Safety Center by a local healthcare provider with a long standing relationship with the community and the Sheriff’s Office. The healthcare provider also donated 60 doses of Narcan.

The training consisted of a review of opioid use and overdose trends, signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and withdrawal and a demonstration on how to administer intranasal naloxone.

All deputies received the training and will be carrying Narcan while on duty. Deputies can administer the Narcan to people suffering life threatening symptoms related to opioid use quickly, allowing time for medical personnel to arrive and provide treatment to the individual.

“The deputies are out on patrol and sometimes respond quicker than EMS just by being in the area,” said Sheriff Dwight Baird. ”We felt equipping the deputies with some life saving options for these overdose situations is good public safety practice.”

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is the first law enforcement agency in Kendall County to carry Narcan.