News

Oklahoma City Officers Might Start Carrying Naloxone

Jaclyn Cosgrove

07/20/2015

July 19--At first, Tulsa police officers were hesitant about using their naloxone kits.

But then, they started seeing the drug save lives in their city.

"It went from 'Do we really have to do this? This isn't a cop thing,' to guys calling me and saying 'How can I get this? I haven't been certified, but I want to get this,'" said Officer Anthony First, the Tulsa Police Department's medical support and training officer.

Naloxone is a medication called an "opioid antagonist" used to counter the effects of overdose from opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and heroin.

Last year, Tulsa Police Department started training their officers to administer the drug, a pilot program through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Thus far, they've saved 15 people.

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council will consider approving an agreement between the city and state mental health department to begin a similar program with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

City and state leaders are enthusiastic about the program's potential in a state that has seen prescription overdose deaths skyrocket in recent years.

"When you look at the number of overdoses in the state and our city, it's a no-brainer for us to move forward and implement this program," Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty said in a statement.

Terri White, the state's mental health commissioner, said in a statement that her agency is eager to work with Oklahoma City police after seeing success with the pilot program in Tulsa County for first responders from the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, Bixby Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department and several other agencies.

"Tulsa County was selected because it had the highest number of opiate-related overdoses in the state," White said. "Oklahoma County also ranks very high. From 2009 to 2013, more than 900 people have died from opiate-related overdoses in just these two counties, so we are very motivated to be able to replicate this life-saving program."

The state mental health department will provide Oklahoma City police with training, supplies and support at no cost through at least June 2016, according to city records.

If the mental health department doesn't have the funding to continue the program, the agreement between the agency and the city would be terminated, according to records.

Each kit costs about $40 and contains two naloxone nasal spray vials and a nasal spray applicator.

Capt. Paco Balderrama, public information officer with Oklahoma City Police Department, said if the measure passes, about 700 of the department's 1,100 officers will be trained and receive naloxone kits for their patrol vehicles.

Balderrama said the department's leadership wanted to start using naloxone after seeing the drug's success in not only the Tulsa area but also in cities across the U.S.

"It has proven to save lives," Balderrama said. "And now, obviously, if we can institute that here with the potential of us saving someone's life, that's something we want to do."

Mike Brose, Mental Health Association Oklahoma executive director, said his organization supports the move by Oklahoma City police and the state's mental health agency, with the caveat that good training must be provided.

"Training will be critical," Brose said. "If you're going to use these sorts of tools and make them available, it's most effective when it can be administered on site. It's been proven in other communities in the state that it does in fact save lives."

Traci Cook, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma, said she hopes that the state mental health department will see first responder and police training as a first step.

"I hope (the city council) approves it, I am definitely for that, but I think it's a first step in a very long way to go," Cook said.

Families and friends of addicts could also benefit from training to use naloxone, Cook said. Under Oklahoma law, anyone can get naloxone without a prescription. The drug is available over-the-counter at 24-hour Walgreens and four Economy Pharmacy locations.

"If you knew your loved one, your child, was at high risk or had overdosed before, the first thing I would do is purchase some, have it in my first-aid kit wherever I keep my meds at the house, and know if it does happen, I'm here," Cook said. "I think of those who live in the most rural areas of our state. It can take an hour to get help there."