WPD officers credited with saving 59 lives with naloxone

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Officers with the Wilmington Police Department are credited with using naloxone to save 59 lives.

WPD officers now carry a two-dose kit of the overdose rescue drug courtesy of a pilot program and grant from Purdue Pharma L.P. and the National Sheriff's Association.

"Our officers encounter opiate overdoses far too often, but now they're able to do something about it thanks to the NSA and Purdue Pharma," Wilmington Police Chief  Ralph Evangelous said. "Recently, we have seen a dramatic up-swing in the number of overdose situations, many believed to result from heroin and opiate use growing throughout the U.S., including our city."

The WPD's previous two sets of naloxone were donated by local non-profit NC Harm reduction Coalition. NCHRC Executive Director Robert Childs said the coalition will continue to supply the WPD with extra units of naloxone that are not covered by the grant.

According to WPD officials, their officers have saved 59 lives in 64 attempts since the program started last year, the second highest recovery rate in the state.

"The use of naloxone by our officers is not to replace emergency medical treatment, but to serve as a stop-gap measure before EMS can arrive," Evangelous said. "This furthers illustrates our agency's commitment to providing the best tools necessary to protect life and property in our community."

Purdue Pharma has provided the National Sheriff's Association with a $350,000 grant to launch the pilot program.

"The battle against the heroin and opiate epidemic has claimed far too many casualties - our brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, sons and daughters," said Jonathan Thompson, the CEO and executive director of the association. "With this project, Wilmington officers are equipped to fight back."

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