Delco Cops Honored For Saving Lives With Narcan
EDDYSTONE, Pa. (CBS) -- Narcan has proven to a literal life saver to those knocking of death's door after a heroin overdose. Delaware County honored police who have used the drug to bring addicted people back.
Police in Pennsylvania have been authorized to use the drug to counteract the lethal effect of opioids for little more than a year now.
One of those officers honored insists the battle against drug abuse is difficult on police and the public alike. "There's kids from all types of families that encounter the problem and it's a tough battle," Haverford Police Sergeant James Kelly told KYW Newsradio. "It's a cycle of people getting high and recovery and getting high and recovery and there's a lot of downside to it."
135 lives have been saved by use of Narcan by officers on the street, who insert a shot of the drug through a person's nostrils.
Delaware County formed a heroin task force three years ago after noticing a spike in the number of drug related deaths.
County Councilman Bill Culp, a member of the task force, says the battle to control drug abuse is far from over. "I'm alarmed to see how prescription drug abuse and heroin abuse is ruining the lives and robbing us of loved ones." he said. "Make no mistake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose."
Officials also concede it's not one that a dose of Narcan alone can do.
There's now talk of establishing a follow up treatment program for those who are saved by Narcan. Delaware County's also set up drop off boxes for disposal of prescription drugs no longer needed at every police station.
