Orlando Police officers are learning how to use a new nasal spray with the idea that it will save the lives of those overdosing on drugs.
- Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a nasal spray
- Drug helps to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose
- All Orlando Police officers will carry a dose
Starting June 15, all Orlando Police officers — from their drug enforcement squad to school resource officers — will have a special medication called Narcan.
"Our goal is to save lives, and that is what this is for," Deputy Chief Robert Anzueto said.
The lifesaving spray, also known as Naloxone, works to reverse the unresponsiveness caused by an opioid overdose.
Police say the nasal spray acts in minutes but isn’t an overdose cure. The spray only helps to keep the person alive for about an hour until they can get to a hospital for serious treatment of their overdose.
During the past 17 months, the City of Orlando has had 64 deaths from opioid overdoses -- more than 54 percent of those opioid overdoses from heroin.
OPD officials say some of those deaths may have been prevented, because in many cases, their officers are the first on scene.
“This drug, if we would have gotten it in time to those victims, we could have saved their lives,” Anzueto said.
With that hope, OPD used $30,600 in drug forfeiture funds to purchase 816 doses of Narcan, which is enough to allow each officer in the field to carry one.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is also working with the county on getting Narcan to their deputies on the streets as well.
Access to the drug only recently increased because Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill allowing pharmacies to sell the medication without a prescription.
The Orlando Police Department used drug forfeiture funds to buy more than 800 doses of Narcan. (Bailey Myers, staff)