First Pa. State Troopers Use Naloxone to Revive Unconscious Man
June 16--For the first time since Gov. Tom Wolf announced in April that state troopers would begin carrying the anti-overdose drug naloxone, a trooper from the Uniontown station successfully administered the drug Friday to an unresponsive man.
"The male subject was found lying on the lawn, breathing shallowly and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance," said Capt. Harry B. Keffer, the commanding officer for Troop B.
"Troopers administered the anti-overdose drug naloxone on scene prior to EMS arrival and the subject immediately became conscious and communicative," Keffer said Tuesday.
The man was taken to Uniontown Hospital by ambulance for treatment. He was not identified.
State police also declined to identify the troopers who assisted the man who overdosed. Trooper Stefani A. Lucas, spokeswoman for the Uniontown station, said the incident occurred about 1:30 a.m.
Naloxone, also known by brand names Narcan or Evzio, is a prescription medicine that rapidly reverses heroin and other opioid overdoses.
According to state health records, heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more people than motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, approximately 2,400 Pennsylvanians died from drug overdoses.
In November 2014, Act 139, also called David's Law, took effect, making naloxone available to law enforcement, first responders, family members, friends or other people in a position to assist an individual at risk of an opioid-related overdose.
Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine signed a standing order in April 2015 giving law enforcement officers and firefighters the ability to access naloxone.
Paul Peirce is a reporter for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at ppeirce@tribweb.com or 724-850-2860
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