Pa. Police Saving Lives with Narcan

Jan. 20--The victim's face was an ashen blue when Sgt. James Kelly found him unconscious on the den floor of his Haverford Township home.

"He was totally passed out," Kelly said. He rubbed the victim's sternum to try to revive him.

Nothing.

The 14-year police veteran suspected a heroin overdose and quickly administered doses of Naloxone, a nasal spray known commonly as Narcan, which can revive victims and perhaps save their lives. The victim survived.

In the seven weeks since police in Delaware County have been equipped with Narcan, they have successfully treated 14 overdose victims, according to the District Attorney's Office.

In response to increases in heroin deaths, Pennsylvania joined at least 17 other states, including New Jersey, in allowing police to carry Narcan. Police in the Garden State began using it several months ago.

In Pennsylvania, Delaware County became the first county to permit police to use it.

District Attorney Jack Whelan believes the 10 men and four women might have died if it were not for the quick intervention of police, who are usually the first to arrive at a scene.

"Seconds, minutes make a difference when the respiratory system is shutting down," said Whelan.

Heroin-related deaths in the region have been on the rise in recent years as the drug has become cheaper -- and more potent.

Montgomery County reported 58 heroin-related deaths in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2009. Delaware County reported 49 last year, Bucks County, 38, and Chester County, 26.

Heroin use doesn't recognize socio-economic boundaries.

In Delaware County, Narcan rescues were reported by police in Bethel, Haverford, Marple, Nether Providence, Ridley, and Upper Darby Townships, along with Glenolden, Lansdowne, Marcus Hook, and Upland Boroughs.

Not only drug addicts might benefit from the officers' carrying Narcan, said James McCans, director of the paramedic department for Haverford. Children have been known to inadvertently ingest prescription opiates, he said.

Delaware County has purchased 900 doses of nasal Naloxone, which were distributed to police in 42 of the 49 municipalities, the county Park Police, and the Sheriff's Department, said Maureen Hennessey, director of Intercommunity Health.

The $16,000 cost was covered by the county. In the future, officials will look at grants, drug-forfeiture money, and possible insurance reimbursements from victims, said Whelan.

In Chester County, 21 police departments are planning to use the drug, said Ethan Healey, Naloxone project manager for Goodfellowship Ambulance and EMS Training Institute, which is providing the drug and training to police.

So far, police in about half of those departments have it.

Police departments in Philadelphia and Bucks and Montgomery Counties are training officers to use Narcan. Montgomery County recently received 400 doses to be distributed in the next few weeks, officials said.

State police officers, who serve jurisdictions in all four counties, do not carry Naloxone and have no plans to, said spokeswoman Maria Finn.

Kelly, the Haverford sergeant, believes Narcan might have saved at least one life.

When he received the call about an overdose inside a two-story Colonial in the Grange Estate area, he said, he recognized the victim's name. Years before, he had an encounter with the then-teenager over graffiti, he said.

The victim had a heroin problem and had collapsed, according to a friend, who had called 911.

After the first dose, the victim's breathing improved, but he didn't appear to be coming around, Kelly said. He administered another dose. Paramedics arrived and administered a third dose by IV. At that point, the victim revived.

"I'd like to say I saved him on my own, but I think I needed a little more than what I had in my bag," said Kelly. Two doses of the drug did help, he said.

After the victim regained consciousness, surrounded by a roomful of officers and paramedics, he was evasive and didn't want to disclose anything.

"He needed to be convinced to go to the hospital," said Kelly. The victim relented after medics told him that the drugs would wear off and he would again need medical care.

mschaefer@phillynews.com

610-313-8111 @MariSchaefer

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