Pubdate: Fri, 02 May 2014
Source: Johnston Sun Rise (RI)
Copyright: 2014 Beacon Communications
Contact:  http://www.johnstonsunrise.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5185
Author: Daniel Kittredge

STATE TROOPERS GET DRUG OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE

The Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team, or DMAT, conducted
recent training and has ordered 300 doses of Narcan for the state police.

With the death toll from Rhode Island's ongoing drug overdose epidemic
continuing to rise, the State Police on Friday announced the full
deployment of Narcan to state troopers.

"If Narcan can save even one life, then it is incumbent upon us to
have it available and for our troopers to be trained in its
administration," said Col. Steven O'Donnell, superintendent of the
state police. "Narcan will keep someone alive long enough for rescue
personnel to respond, provide additional medical assistance, and
transport the victim to the hospital. It's the right thing to do."

Narcan, or naloxone, counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose,
and is administered through a nasal spray. All sworn members of the
state police recently received training in its use, and the policy
developed for troopers has become the template for other state and
municipal police departments.

The Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team, or DMAT, conducted
the training and has ordered 300 doses of Narcan for the state police.
The Narcan kits cost $35.50 a piece, and were paid for with federal
drug forfeiture funding. DMAT assembled the kits at no cost.

Uniformed patrol troopers will receive 158 kits, while detectives will
receive 23. The Division of Sheriffs will be trained and receive 55
kits, and the Capitol Police will receive 15. Richmond, Burrillville
and Hopkinton police will each receive 15 kits at their request, and
four will be kept for surplus.

State health officials recently announced the number of overdose
deaths in Rhode Island this year is now at 90, representing a more
than 20 percent increase over the same timeframe in 2013. Opiates --
including heroin and prescription painkillers -- have been at the
center of the crisis.
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