Sheriff Announces Launch of Opioid Antagonist Program

Sheriff Announces Launch of Opioid Antagonist Program
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Dec. 20, 2014)
Yesterday, the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 1049, sponsored by Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, that would authorize law enforcement officers to obtain and use opioid antagonists to save lives of those experiencing an overdose.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office pushed to change the law to allow the antagonists to be used by law enforcement and will be launching training and programming to its deputies on how to properly administer the antagonist now that the state has given the authority for law enforcement officers to carry it. Beginning after the first of the year, road patrol deputies will be assigned opioid antagonists to keep in their patrol vehicles at all times for encounters with the public where someone is overdosing from an opioid.
“I am proud to announce that our Oakland County deputies will be trained and prepared to administer this life-saving tool to anyone who may be suffering from an overdose,” said Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. “Our county will be one of the first in the state to launch such a comprehensive training program. I am very pleased that Lansing made this a priority during lame duck session and commend the work done by Senator Schuitmaker.”
“Our community has suffered immensely from the effects of heroin and prescription opioid pills, said Jeannie Richards of Bryan’s Hope, a local anti-drug coalition based in Waterford Twp. “This will save the lives of our loved ones who are battling addiction.”
The antagonist is administered through the nasal passages and immediately reverses the effects of an overdose. By allowing deputies to carry this life-saving measure, medical treatment can be rendered immediately, including instances where law enforcement arrive on the scene before paramedics and emergency medical personnel.

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