Pilot Program Gives Breath of Life
Police Now Equipped with Life Saving Narcan to Give Victims Another Chance at Recovery
[COLUMBUS-OH] Opioid abuse is on the rise, and Columbus City Council is continuing to fight for every resident in every community.
Driven by Council President Zach Klein, Columbus Public Health, Columbus Police and the Division of Fire have joined forces to conduct a pilot program that equips police officers with Naloxone (Narcan) to give the most vulnerable populations a second chance at life.
“By equipping both police officers and firefighters with Narcan, we are being progressive and aggressive in treating the addicted and saving lives," said Council President Klein.
This past weekend, Public Safety responded to numerous calls involving conscious and unconscious overdose victims within a 24-hour span. This is a dramatic increase in the city.
“That is why we desperately need this program,” said Klein. "First responders are on the front lines of helping our community tackle addiction. This action gives people another opportunity to seek treatment."
Heroin and opiate use has gone up in Columbus over the last five years. These drugs are also involved in more than 70% of overdose deaths in Franklin County
“Heroin addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease, and we must give our residents affected every chance we can at life, and at recovery,” said Dr. Teresa Long, Columbus Public Health Commissioner.
Public Safety Director George Speaks welcomes the program.
“Thanks to the urging of Council President Klein last year to equip police officers with naloxone, we have been able to research and kick-off this pilot with 115 officers trained to carry this life saving drug,” said Public Safety Director George Speaks.
The goal is to equip officers in high use areas throughout the city with Narcan.
The abuse of opiates, specifically heroin, has become a national epidemic with heroin causing an extremely high number of overdoses.
The program has already had a profound effect in the community. In just a few weeks, Columbus Police have used 12 doses of Narcan on residents experiencing an overdose. This is combined with the five to six doses administered per day by the Columbus Division of Fire.
“Heroin and opioid abuse will continue to plague our neighborhoods unless we use a holistic plan of action. The next step is to fight for medical rehabilitation and counseling services so those who are addicted can have an opportunity to turn their lives around,” Klein continued.
“I am committed to working with the Department of Public Health and Director Long to provide vital resources to those struggling. Let’s remember those can be our sons, daughters, parents or neighbors,” he said.
President Zach Klein is also sponsoring an ordinance that provides Alvis with $250,000 for a new substance abuse and treatment center. The social service agency is developing a comprehensive treatment facility on the eastside to serve members of the community who are most at-risk.
Click here for to view a letter of support from Public Safety Director George Speaks.
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