For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Natick Police Deploy Nasal Narcan to Save Resident from Opioid Overdose

NATICK — Chief James G. Hicks reports that the Natick Police Department saved a resident’s life by deploying nasal Naloxone to combat a heroin overdose.

Marketed under the trade name Narcan, the drug is an opioid antagonist that quickly reverses the effects of a potentially fatal overdose by displacing the drug from the receptors in the brain. It has minimal side effects, is not dangerous if administered to a person who is not overdosing, and it has no potential for abuse.

On Friday, Jan., 2, police responded to a residence, where they found a 22-year-old male unconscious. They determined the person had overdosed on heroin and immediately administered Nasal Narcan.

The resident regained consciousness and was evaluated by the Natick Fire Department before being transported to the hospital.

All Natick police were trained and began carrying Nasal Naloxone in their cruisers in August 2015. This is the department’s first Narcan save.

“Given the current epidemic this nation is facing, it is imperative that as first responders, we are equipped with this life saving drug,” Chief Hicks said. “By administering Narcan, this resident is alive today.”

Opioid overdoses are currently one of the leading causes of death in Massachusetts and no community is immune to the problem. Former Governor Deval Patrick declared it a public health crisis and Governor Charles Baker has made addiction education and prevention a priority for his administration.

###