The Howard County Sheriff's Office has started to train their deputies on how to utilize the life saving drug Narcan.
Dr. Maura J. Rossman of the Howard County Health Department bought the first 20 kits, and Chief John Butler from fire and rescue services is training the deputies.
Sheriff McMahon has made the training and usage of this drug a priority because of the increase of opioid abuse in the community.
"Narcan is an invaluable tool in the effort to save people from losing their battle with substance abuse. Putting this in the hands of our Deputies gives us the opportunity to have an immediate impact on someone overdosing on heroin." Said Sheriff Bill McMahon.
Narcan can immediately reverse the side effects of an opioid overdose.
Some kits will be with deputies in the field and others will be put throughout Court Houses in the county.
"Tragically, we are all aware of the critical nature of the opioids crisis and its impact on families and communities across the nation. This epidemic impacts people from all walks of life, and the numbers keep climbing," said County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. "We will continue to pursue new strategies to deal with the crisis, and training more people in the use of naloxone is an important step. I commend the Sheriff's Department for training its deputies so they are prepared for this type of emergency."
