Local law enforcement readily trained to treat opioid overdoses

In the past year, the Arizona Department of Health Service’s real-time data shows the state has seen 1,639 deaths suspected of an opioid overdose.

Governor Doug Ducey and Arizona Department of Public Safety joined together in a press conference on August 13 where they announced a plan to keep up the fight against the opioid epidemic.

The conference saw Gov. Ducey call on law enforcement across Arizona to be included in the fight.

“This isn’t just happening in Arizona, this is happening all across America,” Gov. Doug Ducey said.

Law enforcement will now be trained to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose. They will also carry Naloxone – or Narcan, an opioid reversing drug, to administer it on someone they believe is having an overdose.

That training has reached both Yuma Police Department and Arizona Department of Transportation.

“We have about 35 officers in patrol trained to administer Narcan,” Sgt. Lori Franklin, Yuma Police Department, said.

ADOT is currently working to get the 15 members of their Yuma force to be equipped with Narcan.

Officer Michael Martinez is one ADOT officer already trained.

“Kn owing the effects and signs of an overdose and being able to apply Narcan to that person and help them. Either save their lives or buy some time until medics come,” Martinez added.

In the past year, Narcan has been administered 6,671 times across Arizona, according to Arizona Department of Health Services.

Sgt. Franklin added that YPD officers have had to administer Narcan three times this year.

“I think it’s a great tool to have, in the Yuma area, there may be more, not a lot of people know about us, but we are another police agency in the area and we have the tools to help with the epidemic,” Martinez said.

“It’s a positive thing, generally police get there prior to fire getting there, having our officers trained first where they can recognize symptoms and administer Narcan. It’s between life and death for someone,” Sgt. Franklin added.

ADOT is expected to have all members trained by September or October.

YPD is planning to train its remaining officers soon.