Deputy Administers Naloxone (Narcan) After Male’s Intentional Opiate OD
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a reported intentional overdose of a male in North Spokane County. After learning the male took a large quantity of prescription opioid medication, and began to show signs of a possible opioid overdose, Naloxone was administered in an effort to help reverse the effects of the overdoes and hopefully save the man’s life.
On July 1, 2018, just prior to 4:00 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence in North Spokane County for the report of a possible suicide attempt involving an elderly male.
Deputy Chad Ruff and Deputy Jeff Rogers arrived within minutes and contacted the conscious male. Sadly, he confirmed he took a large quantity of prescription opioids in an attempt to end his life.
Deputy Ruff retrieved his “Overdose Reversal Kit” from his patrol car and quickly returned to find the male’s speech slow and slurred. Deputy Ruff administered nasal Naloxone to the male hoping to reverse the effects of the medication.
Deputy Rogers checked the prescription medication bottles and after speaking to a witness, roughly estimated the male possibly took more of the medication than initially believed.
After a couple minutes, with the male’s condition rapidly deteriorating, Deputy Ruff administered a second dose of Naloxone and moved the male to the floor to better monitor his condition until members of Spokane County Fire District 9 arrived and took over medical care.
Before being transported to a hospital for further treatment, the male could respond to questions again. The male remains hospitalized and listed in serious condition.
Naloxone, brand name Narcan, blocks or reverses the effects of opioids (both medications and narcotics) including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington’s grant, from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, provided for several hundred Narcan kits and associated training which allows Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies and Spokane Valley Deputies to carry the opiate antidote.
Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington is funded by Spokane Regional Health District, as the two agencies share a common value to assist in responding to emergencies or disasters.
