HAMILTON Co., Ind. -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department deputies, in response to an upswing in heroin-related overdoses in the county, will be carrying Narcan to try and stop the deaths associated with the drug.
They are still working on finishing the training for administering Narcan.
Hamilton County is fourth in the state in opioid-related overdoses, behind Marion, Lake and St. Joseph counties. The county has also seen a 45 percent increase in heroin-related deaths, according to Sheriff Mark Bowen.
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“This increase in overdose deaths illustrates that addiction to heroin and other opioids, including some prescription painkillers, represents nothing less than a public health crisis," said Chief Deputy Tom Gehlhausen. "Every day, this crisis touches and devastates Hamilton County residents from every background and walk of life."
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department offers drug take-back events and an prescription drop box to help provide opportunities for residents to get rid of unwanted and unused medications responsibly.
Narcan is a drug that is administered to somebody having an opioid overdose, like heroin, morphine or codeine. It can block the effects of an overdose, possibly saving somebody's life.
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The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department recently recognized Officer Jamie Guilfoy with the first-ever Narcan Lifesaver Award. Guilfoy saved six lives in 2015 with Narcan.
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