Prospect Heights police train in dealing with heroin overdoses
The Prospect Heights Police Department will be one of the first in Cook County to participate in training that will teach members of the department what to look for when encountering a person suffering from an overdose and how to best administer the medication (Naloxone) that counteracts the effects of an overdose.
Naloxone is a medication that is administered to an individual who has overdosed on opioids, such as heroin. It works by temporarily reversing the effects of the opioid, whether illicit or prescription, allowing the individual to regain consciousness and resume normal breathing.
Officers will learn how to administer Naloxone into the arm or leg with a syringe. Training will be conducted on Thursday, Oct. 2, and Friday, Oct. 3, by the organization Live4Lali that provides individuals, families, communities, organizations and businesses with effective drug and overdose prevention education, and support regarding drug use, misuse, addiction and overdose prevention.
Live4Lali recently has focused on teaching members of law enforcement what to look for when encountering a person suffering from an overdose and how to best administer the medication. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies every 19 minutes from a drug overdose.
"Because police officers and other first responders may encounter someone experiencing an overdose, this type of training is invaluable and may ultimately prevent an overdose from turning fatal," said Chief Jamie Dunne.
The training will be funded through the police department's Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Seizure fund. All sworn members of the department will participate.
Direct questions or comments Dunne or Deputy Chief Al Steffen at (847) 398-5511.