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Santa Clarita Deputies Among First To Be Equipped With Overdose Drug

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station patrol deputies are expected to be equipped with a drug designed to fight opioid overdoses in the coming weeks, said officials.


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Naloxone, available without a prescription in California, is designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, a life-saver for first-responders, quite literally.

“We are amidst an epidemic of opiate overdoses,” said Commander Judy Gerhardt of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. “This new program could potentially save lives.”

The overdose drug is expected to be equipped to patrol deputies in the coming weeks, with the Santa Clarita Valley Station being one of the first to receive the medication, said Gerhardt.

“The City of Santa Clarita’s partnership with the Board of Supervisors and Law Enforcement has been key to combat this issue,” she added.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell initiated the program about a year ago, after seeing a rise in overdoses around the country.

“At the time, overdoses were not as big of an issue — the sheriff saw a trend and wanted to do something about it,” said Gerhardt.

Los Angeles County Public Health officials provided a grant to purchase about 5,000 units of the overdose drug, in addition to the about 600 units the department already has.

First-responders, including sheriff’s, L.A. County Fire and medical personnel, respond together in partnership for overdose calls, according to officials.

Sheriff’s deputies are expected to be equipped with a nasal spray version of the drug, to potentially save an overdose victim before paramedics arrive.

“This medication is our second, third and fourth line of defence against opioid overdoses,” said Dr. Clayton Kazan, medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. “Our first line of defence is always assisting the breathing of patients.”

Dr. Kazan noted that in overdose cases breathing is the most important factor — but emergency responders first have to determine if an opiate overdose has taken place.

See Related: The ‘Anti-Opiate’ Drug Saved 9 Lives In 2 Days In Santa Clarita

“Medical professionals first have to determine if an unconscious person is a victim of an opioid overdose,” said Dr. Kazan. “The person could be unconscious for a number of reasons.”

The medical director explained that opioid overdose symptoms include constricted or “pinpoint” pupils, pale skin and shallow or even stopped breathing.

“Once it is determined that an opioid overdose is taken place, medical professionals then administer Naloxone,” said Dr. Kazan.

Emergency responders are not the only ones with access to this medication, it is also available at most pharmacies, according to a local substance abuse counseling expert.

“You can also keep it in your medicine cabinet if you or a loved one is an opiate user, ” said Bob Sharits, owner of The Way Out Recovery. “You should always try to get someone into treatment, but this drug is a good first-aid.”

L.A. County Sheriff’s are looking to partnerships with agencies, including drug treatment centers and local governments, for a more “holistic” approach to combating this issue.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem,” said Commander Gerhardt. “Partnerships are essential when combating overdoses, it takes a community to heal itself.”

 

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Santa Clarita Deputies Among First To Be Equipped With Overdose Drug

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.