Last Updated on December 6, 2022, 10:57 PM | Published: December 6, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Police Department is continuing to increase the lives saved from opioid overdose by deploying more Narcan among patrol officers. Narcan is the brand name for the drug naloxone HCI, distributed in single-dose sprays that are easy to carry and use.
What is it?
The CDC website explains: “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time.”
“Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved,” says the CDC.
Increasing lives saved
The department has been stepping up the number of doses being deployed in an ongoing partnership with the OK Dept. Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services since 2015.
According to information from the OKCPD the number of persons whose lives have been saved from naloxone are:
- 2015: 02
- 2016: 14
- 2017: 13
- 2018: 26
- 2019: 35
- 2020: 32
- 2021: 73
- 2022: 135 (As of Dec. 1)
“Numerous lives have been saved by simply equipping our officers with naloxone,” MSgt. Gary Knight told Free Press. “Many of those who received Narcan from our officers would have simply died of an overdose otherwise. It’s proven to be an extremely effective tool for us when it comes to helping those suffering a medical crisis due to an opioid overdose.”
No prescription needed in Oklahoma
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health website, naloxone is available by mail without a prescription and also at some pharmacies with no prescription.
“Naloxone is recommended for anyone with opioids in their home. If you have opioids, you should also have naloxone,” reads the website.
According to the CDC, “Carrying naloxone is no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose.”
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
