ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando is equipping all first responders with naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses, in its continued commitment to the safety and security of the city's residents.
The Orlando Police Department said all of its officers will carry single doses of Narcan by June 15, and will have 816 does of naloxone in nasal mist form. The drug was bought with $30,600 in drug forfeiture money.
Recommended Videos
Narcan can reverse respiratory depression or unresponsiveness caused by an opioid overdose related to heroin, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Heroin-related deaths have increased in central Florida over the last five years. In 2015, 47 deaths were recorded in the city of Orlando from drug overdoses. So far in 2016, there have been 17. Roughly 54 percent of those overdose deaths were related to heroin.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina helped craft a recommendation that police and deputies carry naloxone to help fight the resurgence of the street drug.
Personnel carrying the drug must watch a training video on how to administer Narcan and begin carrying it during their shifts by June 15. Guidelines for its use will be added to the department's existing policy for automated external defibrillator use.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he is committed to equipping the city's first responders with any tools that enable them to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors.
Orlando Fire Department paramedics have been using Narcan for more than 30 years, and in the last four years have been able to administer it nasally as well as intravenously.