By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Deputies in Thurston County are now carrying a medication in their patrol cars that can help save lives when minutes count.
Beginning today, the opioid overdose medication Naloxone is an extra tool available to deputies, in the event that they arrive on the scene of an overdose before the medics.
“This problem appears to be getting worse and more widespread,” Thurston County Undersheriff Timothy Braniff stated in a news release. “We need to be prepared to help anyone who we come in contact with who may have succumbed to this addiction.”
Naloxone is a nasal spray designed to reverse the depressive effects of opioids on the respiratory system and may counteract the effects of a heroin or other opioid overdose, according to the sheriff’s office. Opioids include heroin and many other powerful prescription pain killers.
Thurston County Public Health and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office worked collaboratively to equip patrol deputies with the prescription medicine.
At any given time, there are at least a half dozen patrol deputies on the job around the county, according to Sgt. Kenneth Clark.
“We’ve had cases when a deputy is two blocks away, and it’s five to six minutes for the fire department to arrive,” Clark said. “That could mean the difference between life and death.”
Previously, deputies could start CPR, but now they have this additional way to help, until medics get there and take over, he said.
They are the first law enforcement agency in Thurston County to carry the drug, according to Clark.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to call 911 if a friend or loved one may be experiencing an overdose. The symptoms of an opioid overdose can include unresponsiveness, absence of breathing or no pulse, and bluish lips or finger nail beds, according to the sheriff’s office. When suffering from an opioid overdose minutes count if the person’s life is going to be saved, they state.
The sheriff’s office reminds the public that recent changes in the law have provided protection against prosecution for possession of a controlled substance when a person seeks medical assistance for a person who is experiencing a drug-related overdose. The law also provides similar protections from prosecution for the person who may have suffered an overdose, according to the sheriff’s office.
“There’s a lot of people who recognize we have the problem, and this is a way of potentially helping,” Clark said.