Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Arlington Police to Host Walk-In Hours for Those in Need of Narcan Replacement
200 Doses Provided By Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative
ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan announces that the Arlington Police Department has 200 doses of 4 mg nasal naloxone devices, and will be holding walk-in hours every week for those in need of a replacement following the recall last week.
On Friday, Nov. 4, Teleflex Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of nasal naloxone (Narcan), voluntarily recalled its 2 mg atomizer, as it may not deliver the proper dosage of the opioid reversal drug. The decision came after Teleflex Medical received complaints that affected devices produce a straight stream of medication, instead of an atomized spray, which may impair the effectiveness of the drug.
Arlington Police received 200 free 4 mg dosages from the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, which had previously obtained 10,000 doses from Adapt Pharma to be distributed to its partner police departments. Earlier this year, the state approved first responders carrying the 4 mg doses, upping the previous policy of only 2 mg dosages.
Residents in need of a Narcan replacement device are encouraged to stop into the police station during scheduled walk-in hours. Arlington’s clinician Rebecca Wolfe will be at the station every Thursday (except Thanksgiving) from 3-5 p.m. to provide doses and train residents on how to use the devices.
Those who are unable to make the walk-in hours can schedule an appointment with Wolfe by calling 781-316-3947.
“If residents have a dose of Narcan that was part of the recall, we encourage them to come into the Arlington police station to get a free replacement,” Chief Ryan said. “We want our community to rest assured that the Arlington Police Department is equipped with this life saving drug in the event of an opioid overdose and has a sufficient supply of replacement doses for those in need.”
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