WPD Implements Naloxone Overdose Program

Warrenton, OR – The Warrenton Police Department is now carrying Naloxone (Narcan) overdose kits in each vehicle and becomes the first department in Clatsop County to equip patrol officers with the life-saving drug. An additional kit is located at the station in the evidence processing area adjacent to the evidence room. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opiates such as heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl overdoses. It will also work on the growing number of synthetic opioids like “Pink” (or U-47700) that are being developed and distributed through various channels around the country and Oregon. Warrenton had an overdose the County Medical Examiner attributed to “Pink” in April of this year.

Each two-dose box of Naloxone nasal spray costs around $75. The whole kit cost around $95 and includes a CPR rescue breather, rubber gloves, M95 safety masks, as well as some soap & water for any decontamination needs. Prior to using, all WPD staff are required to take a State-approved online video training and receive the full training protocol sheets. On October 6, 2017 the Oregon Health Authority changed its guidelines to allow law enforcement officers to just view the video training and removed the requirement for clinical oversite of a Naloxone Program. The WPD has chosen to still have initial oversite with an agreement with Dr. Thomas Duncan the Clatsop County Medical Officer. The primary medical oversite as well as permission to obtain the Naloxone is through a signed agreement with Dr. Regina Mysliwiec MD. Dr. Mysliwiec, who will oversee the training and review any records, also attended the initial training of the officers.

The Naloxone kits will be available and used for any type of opioid overdose. These include overdoses by drug-users, accident overdoses by people with opioid prescriptions, accidental overdoses by children who get access to medications, as well as exposure-overdoses by officers, evidence techs, and others searching property or people. The department also purchased a Naloxone kit through a veterinarian for the drug-sniffing canine “Gabe.”

The WPD would like to say a huge “Thank You” to the Columbia Memorial Hospital and Pharmacy Director Christopher Laman for donating the first ten doses of Naloxone to the WPD. We would also like to thank Lines for Life and Rebecca Wood (OrCRM Project Coordinator) for awarding a grant and supporting the WPD in getting our program off the ground. A lastly, a big thanks to the North Coast Prevention Works substance abuse prevention coalition for all of the support as we worked toward starting the Naloxone program.

If you have questions about substance abuse you can contact:

Lines for Life (https://www.linesforlife.org/get-help-now/) or 1-800-923-4357
Opioid Treatment Program Directory (http://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/directory.aspx)
Oregon Addictions & Mental Health Services (http://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH/Pages/index.aspx)

Prepared by Chief Mathew Workman, 503-861-2235, mworkman@ci.warrenton.or.us