Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, has recently been part of a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station training.

Narcan is a narcotic blocker in the form of a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose, according to the drug’s website.

Opioids include not just heroin, but also widely used and highly addictive prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl and morphine.

Sheriff’s deputies will now be able to treat opioid overdoses while on scene of a medical emergency.

Along with training on the use of the medication, deputies will also be given CPR and First Aid lessons.

There were many times this lifesaving medication was needed because deputies continued to be the first on the scene of opioid overdose situations, according to Sheriff’s Station officials.

Related: Heroin Overdoses In Santa Clarita; Drug Legalized In California Could Save Lives

Back in 2016, Sgt. Bob Wachsmuth of the Juvenile Intervention Team at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station said 2015 started out “real hard” with overdoses.

“Of the 11 drug overdoses in 2015, eight were confirmed heroin drug overdoses,” said Wachsmuth. “The other three (in 2015) appear to be as well, although the toxicology report is not back yet.”

Last year, it was only a proposed idea to give officials the opportunity to apply this narcotic blocker.

“I love the idea of having Narcan in the hands of local sheriff’s (deputies) and other first responders, as well as the collaboration between (sheriff’s, county, and city officials) and the local treatment providers,” said Bob Sharits, program director at The Way Out Recovery in a previous interview.

Officials say they’re glad this valuable tool is now available at the station because it saves lives.

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