Deputies Administer Narcan to Unconscious Female Suffering an Overdose, Potentially Saving Her Life
Spokane Valley Patrol Deputies responded to a reported overdose where CPR had been started. Finding the female unresponsive with shallow, ineffective breathing, Narcan was administered to reverse the believed overdose of heroin. She regained consciousness as medics arrived.
On August 27, 2020, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Griffin Criswell and Deputy Tyler Kullman were in the area of a medic’s call. A female was not breathing from a suspected overdose, and CPR was in progress.
When the Deputies arrived, the female was being tended to by a male and female. All three appeared homeless.
The unconscious female was breathing very shallow and ineffective breaths. Needle marks were observed on her arms, and she was unresponsive.
Believing she was in medical distress and her life was in danger due to a possible opioid overdose, Deputy Criswell and Deputy Kullman provided medical attention. Deputy Criswell administered one ampoule of Narcan. With attempts to get her to respond unsuccessful, a second ampoule of Narcan was provided.
Within approximately one minute after receiving the second dose, she began to regain consciousness and sit up.
Spokane Valley Fire and AMR personnel arrived and took over her medical care. She agreed to go to the hospital to be evaluated and went to the ambulance.
Deputy Criswell and Deputy Kullman began contacting other apparent homeless people who were near the incident to see if they witnessed what exactly happened. Shortly afterward, AMR personnel advised the female refused medical treatment against their advice and walked away.
Addiction continues to plague our community, leaving destruction, pain, and sometimes death in its wake. Many programs and organizations are willing to help people who suffer from addiction, but the challenge continues to be getting the person to accept help as they take the long and challenging road to recovery.