The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverton Police Department, and Forest Grove Police Department announced on August 1 that they are deploying medication in patrol vehicles to save the lives of those having an opioid drug overdose.

Law enforcement is often times the first to arrive to overdose incidents where minutes can mean the difference of life or death. A drug called naloxone, brand named “Narcan,” can be administered nasally by deputies and officers to drastically increase survival rates of someone having an opioid overdose from drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.

The Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program provided grant funding for kits of naloxone. Metro West Ambulance supplied additional kits and has also committed to replacing kits that are administered or expire.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue provided specialized training to deputies and officers carrying the naloxone kits in their patrol vehicles. Agencies also developed policies pertaining to its application and maintenance.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has been collaborating with Washington County Public Health to raise awareness about the opioid crisis.

“We are pleased that local law enforcement is now equipped to reverse life-threatening overdoses in the field by carrying naloxone with them,” said Dr. Christina Baumann, deputy health officer for Washington County. “Addiction can happen to anyone, and we encourage people to visit www.AnyonePDX.org for support and resources.”

This program is a joint effort between multiple agencies working closely together with the primary goal of saving lives. Additional Washington County law enforcement agencies are likely to participate in the program as training and policies continue to be finalized.