With 11 suspected heroin overdoses in the Santa Clarita Valley in 2015, and already three more in 2016, many are discussing the possible necessity of having a newly legalized drug in California that could save the life of an addict.

“(In Santa Clarita), 2015 started out real hard with overdoses, but it tapered off towards the end… Of the 11 drug overdoses in 2015, eight were confirmed heroin drug overdoses,” said Sgt. Bob Wachsmuth of the Juvenile Intervention Team at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “The other three (in 2015) appear to be as well, although the toxicology report is not back yet.”

Photo Courtesy of CNN

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station keeps track of all drug overdoses of heroin, methamphetamine and prescription painkillers.

“It’s too early to tell if 2016 will be worse or better,” said Wachsmuth.

Related: Heroin Use And Overdoses Soaring Among Prescription Drug Addicts

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

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

“The three overdoses in 2016 all appear to be heroin overdoses as well, although many times the addict uses a combination of drugs,” said Wachsmuth.

Narcan is a prescription drug, but CVS is going to provide it to patients without an individual prescription in states where that is permitted by state law, including California, according to CNN. Customers have to ask the pharmacist for the drug, which can be purchased in a two-dose package for $40 to $50.

When KHTS reached out to a local CVS, an employee said they did have the drug in their store’s system, and they have the ability to order it.

Related story: Marijuana Edibles Concern Local Law Enforcement And Addiction Experts, Santa Clarita Youths At Risk

“It’s my belief that the families of addicts need to seek counseling,” said Wachsmuth. “It’s hard to understand the addiction, and counseling could help them.”

Photo courtesy of CNN

Action Family Counseling is a Santa Clarita drug and alcohol rehab center, with drug and alcohol residential treatment locations in Santa Clarita, Piru and Bakersfield, as well as intensive drug and alcohol outpatient programs in Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Ventura, Pasadena and Bakersfield. 

“I know of quite a few lives that were saved from this amazing drug,” said Cary Quashen, the organization’s founder and president. “It’s a sad state of affairs that we have to carry this stuff, but it wouldn’t hurt for families of addicts to have this close by.”

Quashen warned against relying too heavily on Narcan.

“It can give the addict a false sense of safety,” warned Quashen. “This drug does not cure the addiction, it may save your life but an addict needs to seek help.”

CNN contributed to this story.

Action Family Counseling is a Santa Clarita drug and alcohol rehab center. Action has drug and alcohol residential treatment locations in Santa Clarita, Piru and Bakersfield, as well as intensive drug and alcohol outpatient programs in Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Ventura, Pasadena and Bakersfield. Action Family Counseling supports and reinforces changes in behavior patterns so that adolescents and adults, or clients and their families, can fully indoctrinate the philosophies and principles needed to remain abstinent and stabilized for life.

Action Family Counseling

22722 Soledad Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

Office: 661-297-8691

24-Hour Helpline: 800-367-8336