847 Naloxone Doses Administered In Montgomery County In 2016: Officials

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Officials in Montgomery County administered 847 Naloxone doses in 2016, resulting in 621 reversals or saves, according to EMS data presented at a recent Montgomery County Board of Commisioners meeting.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is administered as a life-saving measure to individuals suffering from drug overdoses. All police departments in Montgomery County carry the drug.

The administration of Naloxone in 2016 increased 39 percent from 2015, the county said.

“Naloxone is important because it saves lives – those suffering from the disease of addiction can’t get the help they need if they are dead on the streets," said Valerie Arkoosh, MD, who is Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and in charge of the Montgomery County Overdose Task Force.

Overdose deaths have continued to increase in Montgomery County: drug-related deaths ballooned by more than 40 percent from 2015 to 2016. There were 78 deaths reported in 2015, and 109 in 2016.

>>2,000 Lives Saved in Pennsylvania by Anti-Opioid Naloxone, Officials Say

The vast majority of overdoses are from heroin and other opioids, including fentanyl, the DA said. Fentanyl, which authorities have called "poison," can be 40 to 50 times deadlier than street heroin.

But Naloxone can only do so much.

"We won’t be successful in combating this epidemic if we don’t focus on prevention and treatment for those who need it,” Arkoosh said.

The District Attorney's office has cracked down on dealers, as they are charging the dealers of individuals who have overdosed with criminal homicide. There have already been two arrests for this charge in 2017.

The county has implemented biannual drug take back days, efforts to encourage residents to drop off expired or unused medications at local police stations. The county has also launched drug treatment courts to assist addicts in getting treatment after convictions.

Image via Adapt Pharma