RIVERVIEW, Mich. (WXYZ) — A couple of Riverview officers received Narcan training just in time.
The officers responded to the 14000 block of Hamilton on Monday after a 911 call of an overdose. The city's police chief said the officers sprang into action and successfully administered the powerful drug just hours after beginning training to use it.
RELATED: Examining the use of NARCAN in drug overdoses
Naloxone, often referred to as Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist— meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.
The officers did not want to be recognized as heroes but wanted the community to be aware of the serious dangers of illegal drugs.
Riverview Police Chief Ronald Beggs told 7 Action News the actions of the officers should be commended and recognized.
“There isn’t a community in this country that hasn’t been touched by the drug epidemic,” he said. “The men and women of the Riverview Police Department will continue to train and expand our capabilities to ensure that we can provide the life-saving services that our community deserves. We are grateful to The Guidance Center and Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network for providing the training and naloxone kits, at no cost to the police department, that made it possible for our officers to respond in such a way."
For more information on Narcan training visit: Alliance for Coalition for Healthy Communities.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, you can find help here https://www.findtreatment.gov/.
