<\/p>\n
Stasi arrived at the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m. to find the man unconscious in his bedroom. He was quick to react and administer naloxone, undoubtedly saving the man\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Naloxone \u2013 often known by the brand name Narcan \u2013 is a drug that counters the effects of an opioid overdose. Police departments across the country are starting to carry naloxone to save lives.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a known heroin user \u2026 so they (his roommates) called 911,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cMyself and a couple of officers responded, and knowing it was likely a heroin overdose, I brought my Narcan into the house.<\/p>\n Stasi said the man had a pulse but was not breathing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guy was lying in bed. \u2026 We got him onto the floor and were able to administer two doses of Narcan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n After a few minutes, paramedics arrived, and the man began to stir. In less than 30 minutes, he was thanking officers for saving his life.<\/p>\n \u201cHe started to come around, and by the time he was transported to the hospital, he was able to stand on his own,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cHe was talking and thanking us for bringing him back.\u201d<\/p>\n Timing is key when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, and without proper medical intervention, an overdose can be lethal.<\/p>\n Police and first-responders say they deal with chronic opioid users on a daily basis.<\/p>\n In Colorado, 912 people died from overdoses in 2016, and 758 were unintentional, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.<\/p>\n Officers with the Durango Police Department started carrying naloxone at the beginning of 2017, which was supplied to them by the Colorado Naloxone for Life Initiative.<\/p>\n The Colorado Naloxone for Life Initiative, led by the Attorney General\u2019s Office, provides law enforcement and other first responders with training and access to naloxone.<\/p>\n Deputies with the La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office started carrying naloxone about four months ago in response to the number of opioid overdoses in the county, said Sgt. Richard Paige.<\/p>\n \u201cOur cars are equipped with Narcan,\u201d Paige said. \u201cI was on an overdose one time, and when the paramedics arrived, they revived the party and he is alive and well today. It certainly can work; I watched him come back to life.\u201d<\/p>\n Because police are often the first to respond to the scene of an incident, DPD officers have administered naloxone five times in 2017, and once this year.<\/p>\n Stasi said he is \u201camazed\u201d by the effectiveness of naloxone in bringing someone out of an overdose.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone can be on the brink of death, and then alert and talking minutes later,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n DPD officer John DiMatteo, a naloxone instructor, said every officer with the potential of being exposed to opioids is given naloxone.<\/p>\n \u201cWe issue it (naloxone) to our patrol officers, supervisors and everyone who works in the property and evidence division,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Naloxone can be injected, but DPD officers carry the nasal spray version, DiMatteo said.<\/p>\n Officers are trained to recognize the signs of an overdose, which include unresponsiveness, respiratory failure and pinpoint pupils.<\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t respond to a voice or physical stimulation,\u201d DiMatteo said. \u201cA sternum rub with no reaction is a good indicator someone has overdosed. Eyes are another good indicator, if their pupils are barely visible.\u201d<\/p>\n DiMatteo said officers try to never administer naloxone alone because a person coming out of an overdose is unpredictable.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce it (naloxone) gets to the brain, people generally come out of that startled and can be violent,\u201d he said. \u201cThey come out swinging and are super surprised. We restrain them before we administer it so that no one gets hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Accidental exposure to opioids is another concern for police and first responders. And while fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, carfentanil is 100 times more potent and 5,000 times more potent as heroin.<\/p>\n \u201cAny time we come in contact with any kind of white powder, it could send us into an overdose,\u201d DiMatteo said.<\/p>\n He said there are reports of carfentanil in La Plata County, but it is often mixed with another drug to increase potency.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is probably one of the most potent drugs on the market right now, and a very small trace is deadly,\u201d DiMatteo said. \u201cThat being said, we always plan for the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n And it\u2019s not just addicts who benefit from officers carrying naloxone \u2013 accidental opioid overdoses by people with prescriptions are not uncommon, as Stasi has witnessed.<\/p>\n \u201cA guy visiting Durango received a prescription from his dentist and accidentally took an extra dose,\u201d Stasi said. \u201cHe went to the hotel and became unresponsive. This was a guy with a prescription and through forgetfulness took too much. Narcan is easy to use; it can save a life.\u201d<\/p>\n