Broken Arrow Police Department becomes the latest area law enforcement agency to give officers kits to counteract drug overdoses.
Cpl. Leon Calhoun said officers trained this week on administering Naloxone.
"There are PowerPoints, a video, and then we actually have to do some administration — that we actually can apply the kit correctly prior to use," Calhoun said. "So it's not a real lengthy training, but it's in-depth enough that we can ... be confident in our abilities to use it out in the field."
Naloxone is a chemical that can counteract overdoses on heroin and other opioids. It blocks opiates’ effects on the brain, allowing the victim’s respiratory system to start working again.
Calhoun said the overdose kits are another tool officers need to do their jobs.
"Our job as police officers is not only to arrest, but to help save lives, " Calhoun said. "Having this obviously is going to give us an opportunity to possibly help save someone's life."
Tulsa police officers and sheriff’s deputies began carrying the overdose kits a few months ago. Tulsa first responders have already saved several lives since they started carrying the kits.
