HOPEWELL VALLEY: Police cruisers getting drug overdose kits

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Every marked police vehicle in Mercer County, including those on college campuses, are now carrying Nasal Narcon kits that can save lives of drug overdose victims.
The kits have an aerosol spray of naxolone hydrochloride that counteracts the effects of heroin, oxycodone, morphine and other opioid drugs.
"Police are usually the first responders to a drug overdose scene," said Sgt. Steve Friedman of the Pennington Police. "These Nasal Narcon kits have saved lives. The drug overdose problem affects all levels of society. The purpose of the kit, which induces a gradual awakening in the victim, is to get them to the point where they can go to the hospital."
Noting that some drug overdoses are accidental, Sgt. Friedman said the Nasal Narcon kit will have no effect on anyone to whom it is administered if that person is not in fact a drug overdose victim.
"A key symptom of a drug overdose is that the eye pupils will be extremely small," he said. "Other symptoms are being unconscious, slow breathing, weak pulse and variable rate pulse."
He said the Nasal Narcon dose is two milliliters — one milliliter for each nostril.
"Two doses can be given if necessary," he said. "You wait five minutes after the first dose before administering the second."
The kits were purchased with money acquired during drug arrests.
"No taxpayer money was used to buy them," Sgt. Friedman said.
Chief Lance Maloney of the Hopewell Township Police said: "All of our sworn officers are in the process of being trained in the proper administration of Nasal Narcan for opioid overdoses. Every front line patrol car will be equipped with this life-saving kit as it is not unusual for a patrol officer to be the first person on the scene of a potential drug overdose. Every detective vehicle will also be equipped with a kit. By having these kits readily available for officers to use, we hope to prevent a potential fatal overdose from occurring."