Drug overdose deaths in Longmont are rising and the use of the Narcan along with the work of emergency crews are preventing many more from happening, said Deputy Chief Police Services Jeff Satur, Tuesday.
“The increase in overdose events we are seeing is concerning,” Satur said via email.
Boulder County Public Health on Monday warned residents that tainted counterfeit pills, including brand name pills made to look like Oxycodoen, Xanax, made with ingredients could contain fentanyl and other dangerous additives are being distributed.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, a Boulder County Public Health news release states. Using fentanyl or other dangerous additives can cause serious medical complications or can lead to death, the news release states.
Boulder County Health said using Narcan on overdose victims can revive and save the lives of overdose victims.
Narcan is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness, according to the Narcan website.
In 2017, Longmont Police Services trained and issued Narcan to Longmont officers and staff on the street, Satur said. Between Longmont Police and Fire, officers and emergency crews have helped to save the lives of over 200 overdose victims since 2017, with the help of Narcan, CPR and Advanced Life Support, he said.
Most people don’t attribute overdose saves to law enforcement, Satur said. However, 63 of the 200 were saved by officers. As of July, Longmont Police have saved the lives of 18 people with Narcan, he said.
“These individuals are someone’s child, spouse, uncle, aunt, brother or sister,” Satur said. “All of them now have a second shot at life.’
Satur said Narcan should be kept in homes as a fail safe to prevent an overdose. “Even grandparents, if they are using an opioid for pain, should have Narcan in their medicine cabinet just in case their grandchild accidentally swallows a pill that they shouldn’t,” he said.
Longmont Police are also supported by specialists in the LEAD program and Angle Initiative, efforts aimed at getting residents in trouble with housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health care and employment assistance, Satur said.
