By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW — Police officers fresh off overdose training Feb. 22 put that training to use when they rescued an overdose victim using naloxone, or Narcan.
Officers responded to the 14000 block of Hamilton Street about 10:30 p.m. on a call of a man who had overdosed. Upon arrival, they discovered the 37-year-old man slumped over in his vehicle, barely breathing.
The officers had been trained on the use of naloxone hours earlier at the beginning of their shift and were equipped with kits, a Police Department press release said. They immediately administrated the naloxone to the man.
Riverview fire and rescue personnel arrived to the scene and transported the man to a local hospital where he was treated. He was reported to be in good condition following the overdose.
“I’m proud of our officers who responded to this critical situation and provided life-saving assistance,” Police Chief Ronald Beggs said. “There isn’t a community in this country that hasn’t been touched by the drug epidemic.
“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.”
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)