Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2014
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2014 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://host.madison.com/ct/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: Jack Craver, The Capital Times

HEROIN USERS STILL GET ARRESTED AFTER OVERDOSES

A bill recently signed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker aimed at
addressing a frightening rise in heroin-related deaths prevents those
who report another person's overdose from being prosecuted for drug
possession. However, the person suffering from the overdose may still
face jail time when they come to.

Madison Police Officer Howard Payne, a department spokesman, says he
believes most overdose cases result in criminal charges.

"Officers investigate that matter as thoroughly as they can and arrive
at a decision as to whether a charge is appropriate," he says. "At
minimum it's a possession-level (offense)."

He acknowledges that this fact may deter some people who are in
trouble from calling 911.

"That's a concern of ours because we don't want people to perish and
we want people to feel comfortable calling," he says. "It's a catch-22."

Wisconsin is not the only state addressing a troubling rise in heroin
overdoses.

The New York Times reports that the New York Police Department is
launching a pilot program - financed by $50,000 in federal funds - to
equip officers in Staten Island, one of the city's five boroughs, with
a nasal spray that can be used to revive people from overdoses.

The spray contains naloxone, better known by its brand name Narcan.
Usually the drug is administered via direct injection to the heart by
a paramedic, but the nose spray is much easier to use for those who
aren't medically trained.

The Times reports that police officers have used the nose spray to
save three lives in the past few months.

The availability of naloxone has gained prominence in Wisconsin where,
in a rare display of bipartisanship, both houses of the state
Legislature unanimously voted recently to require municipalities to
equip their ambulances with the drug in response to an increase in
heroin-related deaths in recent years. Walker signed that bill and
three other heroin-related bills earlier this month.

The legislation also specified that all first responders, including
police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel, are allowed to carry
the drug, but only EMS units were required to do so.

Payne said there has not been any talk of equipping Madison cops with
Narcan, which he said is still solely administered by EMS. Madison
ambulances have been equipped with the drug for years and injection
remains the only method used.

"Our police officers rely on the fire department to use Narcan in the
same kinds of situations of trying to reverse an opioid overdose,"
Payne says, noting the recent upswing in heroin overdoses in the city.
"I've seen EMS personnel administer Narcan on a regular basis."
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