Pubdate: Thu, 02 Jun 2016
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2016 The Buffalo News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL
Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Author: Lou Michel

SUSPENDED COP OVERDOSES 2ND TIME

Michael R. Moffett, a Buffalo police officer on suspension without 
pay, overdosed on opioids Tuesday morning  the second time in recent 
months  and on-duty police officers administered three doses of 
Narcan to revive him, according to police sources.

Moffett, 26, was found unconscious at his South Buffalo residence by 
his girlfriend, and a 911 call for help was made, the police sources said.

The officer's Dorrance Avenue home was later searched after police 
obtained a warrant. The findings of the search have not been revealed.

Police officials have declined to comment, but The Buffalo News has 
learned that he remains on an unpaid suspension following an unpaid 
medical leave that Moffett had requested in order to seek medical 
treatment after he overdosed on opioids in February.

In February, it took at least two doses of Narcan, an opiate 
antidote, to revive him, sources said at the time.

The department's Internal Affairs Division is continuing to 
investigate that incident, as well as Tuesday's, the sources said.

Department officials explained that they are legally prohibited from 
commenting on personnel matters, but the police sources said 
Moffett's case is further complicated because it involves federal 
medical privacy rules.

Buffalo Police Benevolent Association officials declined to comment 
on the officer's latest overdose.

Moffett, who joined the department in January 2014, works out of the 
Northeast District.

It is estimated that Buffalo police patrol officers using Narcan have 
saved the lives of more than 300 people who have overdosed on heroin 
and other opioids since Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda required 
officers to carry Narcan in 2014, following training sessions.

The additional responsibility for officers was opposed by the PBA, 
which argued that negotiations were required.

Derenda had taken the action in response to the deadly opiate 
epidemic, which has killed hundreds of local residents, many of whom 
became addicted to prescription painkillers and later turned to the 
streets for cheaper and more easily accessible heroin.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom