Minn. Firefighters to Carry Heroin Antidote

Sept. 16--Coon Rapids firefighters are now carrying the medication that can counteract a potentially lethal heroin or prescription painkiller overdose.

The Coon Rapids Fire Department is one of the first in the state to carry the drug Narcan in each fire rescue vehicle. Narcan, also known by its generic name, is often referred to as a heroin antidote but it also counteracts overdoses of prescription pain medications, including Vicodin, Norco, Percocet and OxyContin.

A new state law that went into effect Aug. 1 allows emergency responders to administer the drug. Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies have also started to carry Narcan. Suburban police officers and firefighters often beat the ambulance to medical emergencies.

Firefighters in Coon Rapids will administer Narcan in a nasal spray form. City public safety leaders determined that the fire rescue vehicles would be the best place to carry the Narcan, because the fire department responds to all medical calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week

The move to expand access to Narcan comes during what Minnesota public health officials are calling an opioid epidemic. Heroin seized by drug task force officials increased by nearly 600 percent from 2010 to 2012, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Overdoses are also on the rise across the state.

In Anoka County, there were 49 overdoses and 27 deaths in 2013. This year, there have been nine deaths and 22 overdoses from heroin and other opioid drugs.

"By allowing our emergency responders to carry this drug in our vehicles, we can help reverse the effects of overdose in a matter of minutes," said Coon Rapids Fire Chief John Piper in a written statement. "We believe the ability to administer this lifesaving medication will help save lives."

Narcan was used 23 times in Coon Rapids in 2013 by paramedics, according to Allina Health Emergency Services.

The drug has been used 21 times in the first six months of this year.

Allina Health Emergency Services trained members of the Coon Rapids Fire Department in how to administer Narcan during a two-hour course.

Shannon Prather -- 612-673-4804

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