Law Enforcement Partnerships Prevent Overdose Deaths

The statistics are grim. Prescription drug overdoses are up for the 11th straight year, and according to the CDC, 44 people die every day from a prescription drug overdose-- usually involving opioid painkillers, like Oxycodone. Increasingly, patients who become addicted to prescription painkillers turn to heroin as a cheaper equivalent. The surge in demand for heroin has led to a surge in the use of adulterants like fentanyl, which in turn is causing surging heroin-related deaths. The bright side is that people who do recover from opioid overdoses, and receive counseling and resources during their time of crisis, are more likely to make the effort to overcome their addiction. Law enforcement and first responders can be a key piece of that "intervention moment" when they are trained to administer Naloxone nasal spray (often known by its brand name of Narcan). Naloxone doesn’t substitute for emergency care but provides more time for medical units to arrive and treat the victim.

Washington's Lummi tribe was among the first in the nation to make Naloxone kits, along with prevention and education training, standard for law enforcement. The tribe acted in response to an"epidemic of drug overdose and death due to illegal drug use by community members of all backgrounds." In partnership with Lummi public health agencies, Lummi Nation police officers were trained to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and to respnd appropriately. Within six weeks of training, officers had prevented three deaths.

Recently, the Suquamish tribe announced a partnership to equip and train all officers, as well as members of the general public with Naloxone kits. When these tribal communities saw an increase in prescription drug abuse and then heroin use, the tribal governments, health departments, law enforcement and community members put their heads together as to how to respond. The tribal councils passed "Good Samaritan" laws to ensure that someone trying to help would not be liable for the outcome. Tribes worked with local pharmacies to keep supplies of the kits available, and to distribute kits and training to individuals.

Tribal first responders may need to work around state laws regarding the administration of Naloxone, especially where cross-jurisdictional agreements are in place. However, with federal encouragement, states are increasingly likely to encourage the widespread use of Naloxone in emergency situations.