APSO receives opioid overdose antidote

20 doses of Naloxone provided by AG’s Office

An Avoyelles Parish first responder faced with an opioid overdose victim will be better prepared to save the victim’s life, thanks to a new weapon in the parish’s fight against the opioid epidemic.

Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson requested 20 vials of naloxone from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office.

Naloxone is a prescription medication that restores breathing to a person who has overdosed on opioids.

Landry’s office is able to supply first-response agencies with the life-saving drug through a $1 million legal settlemenent with the Pfizer pharmaceutical company last May. To resolve the state’s anti-trust suit against the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer provided over 60,000 doses of naloxone.

Law enforcement and fire departments can apply for vouchers for the drug that are then redeemed at local pharmacies.

“I heard about naloxone and was told the Attorney General’s Office had some,” Anderson said. “We applied several months ago and received the vouchers last week. We picked up the vials Monday.”

‘A GROWING PROBLEM’

Anderson said his most fervent wish is that a year from now he still has these 20 vials, but added, “the opioid crisis is a growing problem.”

Louisiana is one of the top 10 states for overdoses, with approximately 780 Louisiana residents dying from prescription overdoses each year.

Naloxone has a shelf-life of up to two years. Landry’s Office said APSO can request more Naloxone if needed.

Landry said he appreciates “the pro-active work done by our first responders to fight back against this epidemic.”

He said he is glad his office was able to give APSO the Naloxone at no cost due to the Pfizer settlement.

"The abuse and misuse of opioids throughout Louisiana is a public safety crisis that has unfortunately taken the lives of many of our state's people," Landry said.

Anderson said the availability of Naloxone through the AG’s Office “is a welcomed life-saving tool to add to our commitment to public safety.”

Anderson said deputies will soon undergo training in how to administer the drug and in identifying signs of opioid overdose.

While naloxone is classified as a prescription drug, it can be purchased without a prescription directly from a pharmacist in Louisiana. In addition to injections, which is the most effective and immediate method to administer it, there are also inhalant systems that are easier for untrained individuals to use.

Naloxone is the generic name for the drug. Brand name versions include Narcan, Evzio, Nalone, Prenoxad Injection, Narcanti and Narcotan.

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