First Aid in Law Enforcement
Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray Opioids can adversely affect the body in several ways , however , the primary danger for opioids is they affect the brain ’ s ability to regulate the rate and depth of breathing . Essentially , breathing is slowed to the point the brain essentially forgets to breathe and death occurs . Naloxone hydrochloride , also referred to as Narcan , is a drug that can counteract the immediate effects of opioids on the body . It can be easily administered into the nose with a nasal spray . One of the advantages of using naloxone is it can be used on children as well as adults and will have no adverse effect on someone who has not taken opioids . Like other emergency care , naloxone hydrochloride is a temporary treatment and the patient still requires additional care by medical professionals . Officers encountering a subject who has overdosed on heroin , or other opioids , will frequently observe agonal breathing and pinpoint pupils . Typically , an officer will also observe evidence of drug use such as needle marks on an arm or leg or paraphernalia lying near the subject . Although information from other persons is not always forthcoming , officers may receive confirmation from a friend or family member the individual had been using an opioid . Every GCPD officer is issued their own unit of naloxone nasal spray . Additionally , extra doses of naloxone are stored in AED cases issued to officers as they go on patrol . To ensure staff are prepared to emergencies within the department facilities , additional doses are stored in the evidence processing area in the event an officer is accidental exposed to an opioid while packaging drugs . Detectives also have access to Naloxone in the event a person in an interview room consumes drugs hidden on their person , or have delayed effects from a drug they had taken prior to being brought in the department . GCPD officers began administering naloxone hydrochloride in 2016 and have done so 55 times .
The Gwinnett County Police Department ’ s program is overseen by the Medical Director for Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services . As part of this agreement , the director prescribes the medication and provides oversight for the agency ’ s naloxone
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program including reviews of department ’ s training , orders for use , and accountability processes . In Georgia , naloxone hydrochloride is also available for purchase through a statewide standing prescription , but departments still require training and a protocol for use .
Training Training for GCPD officers for the products and techniques mentioned in this article has been provided by Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services personnel as well as GCPD officers who maintain their certifications as EMT ’ s . The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians ( NAEMT ) also provides training specifically designed for law enforcement entitled “ Tactical Emergency Casualty Care ” ( TECC-LEO ).
In closing , police officers are often the first persons to arrive at a scene where someone needs emergency first aid . This is the case in urban environments where traffic congestion can slow the raesponse of emergency medical personnel as well as rural communities where EMS response requires them to drive longer distances . While we tend to assume the individual needing assistance will be a private citizen , it is very likely the person requiring treatment may be a police officer . To ensure officers are equipped to respond to these emergencies , it is important for agencies to consider providing staff with basic first aid equipment as well as the items described above . In addition to these supplies , it is also critical officers attend regular training on the proper response and use of these supplies .
Lieutenant J . D . Griffin is a 15 year veteran with the Gwinnett County Police Department . He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from North Georgia College and State University . He is a Certified POST Instructor and has earned his POST Managerial Certificate . He is currently assigned to the Uniform Division Office as Aide to the Assistant Chief .
Lt . Griffin would like to offer his sincere appreciation for the assistance of Sgt . Justin Guck for the expertise and advice offered in development of this article .