A new state law set to go into effect on Nov. 29 allows police to carry the drug Narcan, also known as nasal naloxone, and Delaware County police will be the first in the state to do so.
According to the Delaware County District Attorney’s office, the drug reverses an opiate overdose — from heroin or OxyContin — and brings an unresponsive person back to life.
Collingdale Police Chief Robert Adfams said during a press conference Nov. 24 that in February, police and EMS personnel responded to a call for what was first believed to be a bathtub drowning, but was a drug overdose. Medical personnel administered the drug and the victim woke up, walked out of the tub and refused further medical treatment, Adams said.
The drug’s deployment follows the enactment of David’s Law, which was signed into law on Sept. 30 by Gov. Tom Corbett. The law is named for David John Massi II of Upper Chichester who died on Jan. 27, 2013 at the age of 27 of a heroin overdose.
The legislation gives police access to naloxone and provides Good Samaritan immunity from prosecution to those who seek help when someone overdoses.
The effort to change state law to allow for Good Samaritan immunity in using the drug was spearheaded by Lynn Massi, David’s aunt.
Previously, there was no such immunity for unauthorized people, including police, to administer naloxone.
Delaware County is the first county in the state of Pennsylvania to have its police officers trained and equipped with nasal naloxone, which was funded by the Delaware County DA’s office. Naloxone cost $23 per dose.
Beginning Saturday, every police patrol car in the county will have the drug onboard, according to District Attorney Jack Whelan.
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