Narcan (naloxone) is an antidote given in opiate overdose emergencies. It prevents drugs such as heroine, fentanyl and oxycodone from binding to the opiate receptors of the brain. Narcan can prevent, or even reverse, respiratory arrest caused by opiates. It can and has saved countless lives.
Should the police be allowed to administer naloxone?
The police are often the first service responder at the scene of an overdose. Incidents that seemingly only require the presence of the police (such as a domestic disturbance) can degenerate into a potentially fatal narcotic overdose situation. Delays waiting for an ambulance could be avoided by the timely administration of Narcan by a properly-trained police officer.
A number of months ago, I was given the opportunity to discuss this issue with a police officer. She told me that she would be more than willing to administer this potentially life-saving antidote if she were properly trained and could be protected from any legal liability with respect to this intervention. She claimed that most of her colleagues seemed to share this view. However, she went on to say that the police chief of her jurisdiction was not in favour of this added responsibility for the police.
Theoretically, medical regulatory bodies could also object to this approach since it involves non-medical personnel performing a medical procedure.
However, jurisdictions in North America that have adopted this approach have had very good outcomes. The police have performed life-saving interventions in numerous instances.
Politicians at the municipal, provincial and state level need to have their attention drawn to this issue through a concerted grass-roots movement. Broad acceptance in a given community could then lead to standardized training for police officers willing to provide this service.
A frequent and understandable objection by police officers is that in many cases, naloxone training has been grossly inadequate. The training must be thorough, comprehensive and standardized.
Recently, Ontario has instituted legislation that would protect officers from legal repercussions which could arise from the officer’s attempt to resuscitate using Narcan. If we are to give the police the sense of security and self-confidence they require and deserve in this instance, this kind of legislation should be mandatory in all jurisdictions where the police are given the option to administer Narcan.
If this intervention were properly legislated with clear guidelines, I believe many police officers would feel more empowered to save lives and thereby make a tremendously beneficial impact in this epidemic of overdose deaths.
