INDIANAPOLIS -- An IMPD officer rendered lifesaving care to a man suffering a suspected overdose Monday morning.
The officer was dispatched to the 3200 block of South Pennsylvania Street shortly before noon on a report of a possible overdose.
Upon arrival, the officer found a 48-year-old man suffering from an apparent overdose and not breathing.
MAP | New map shows scope of Indiana opioid epidemic
The officer administered the anti-overdose drug naloxone and then began performing CPR until medics arrived, at which point they were able to obtain a pulse.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital for immediate evaluation.
“Officers are being tasked with more responsibilities, some of which include providing lifesaving measures to those in distress,” said department spokesman Sgt. Kendale Adams.
Police are finding themselves as medical first responders more and more often as the city and country see an increased rate of overdoses from powerful opioids like fentanyl.
In August, a patient suffering from a suspected opioid overdose took five doses of naloxone to revive.
MORE | South side overdose victim takes 5 doses of Narcan to revive
Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services says its crews are dispatched on an average of 13 overdose runs every day at hotel rooms, gas stations, even in parked cars.
"Public places, public bathrooms. Oftentimes it's really right where the deal was done,” Dr. Charles Miramonti, chief of emergency medical services for the city of Indianapolis and Eskenazi Health, said earlier this year.. “Right where they purchase their drugs is where they stop to use."
Last week, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced that the city will sue opioid manufacturers and distributors for their roles in the ongoing opioid epidemic.
IN-DEPTH | At least 13 people overdosed in Indianapolis on Monday. It was an average day.
