Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, November 18, 2015
(EVANSVILLE) - Following a 3-month pilot program, Evansville Police say they haven’t seen the life-saving effects from a drug touted as reversing drug overdoses.
WFIE reports that department officials were hesitant from the very start to outfit their officers with Narcan. They weren't seeing the numbers to back it up.
Now with the pilot program done, they are still standing by what they initially thought.
In 3 months, EPD officers deployed Narcan once, but it didn't work.
All field training officers were trained and carried the antidote. The field officers are spread out throughout the different sectors.
Sgt. Jason Cullum says the Narcan has a 2-year shelf life.
Even though the program is done, they will continue to carry Narcan until it expires. But beyond that, Cullum isn't sure.
At last count, the coroner worked 5 heroin related deaths so far this year in Vanderburgh County.
"When we had these discussions months ago, we thought the amount of opportunities would be lower, than what others thought," says Sgt. Jason Cullum. "At this point, that is still our belief. We we're more than willing to try it, however."
At a recent prescription drug conference in Indianapolis, 14NEWS talked to Sgt. Jay Frederick with the Columbus Police Department. That agency has had 10 saves since deploying Narcan with their officers. He says agencies are hesitant to use Narcan for fear of lawsuits. But, he can't find any evidence there's ever been a lawsuit involving Narcan.
"I'd say the CDC doesn't use the term epidemic lightly," explains Frederick. "Not starting a program because of fear of liability is baseless."
Sheriff's deputies from Warrick and Vanderburgh County are carrying the antidote spray, too.
Warrick County Sheriff Brett Kruse says deputies have used it 3 times.
Vanderburgh Sheriff Dave Wedding says deputies have used it once or twice.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.