Holly Springs Police To Introduce Naloxone Program

The Holly Springs Police Department next week will hold a training session to announce its implementation of its Naloxone Program. 

This session will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 at the First Baptist Church of Holly Springs at 2632 Holly Springs Parkway.

This initiative involves the deployment of Naloxone (Narcan) to all uniform patrol officers within the agency, which would be used to reduce drug overdoses through nasal administration of the antidote. 

"The continuing rise in prescription abuse and subsequent rise in heroin use has resulted in an increase in opioid overdoses," the agency said in a news release. "As people become hooked on prescription pills and can no longer access them; many resort to more accessible drugs, particularly heroin."

Opioid prescription drug the abuse is on the rise and can include drugs such as Codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin and Percocet.

Officers are typically the first responders to this type of medical emergency, as they secure the scene for emergency responders. With this program, all sworn patrol personnel will carry nasal Narcan in their vehicle.  

Narcan is an opioid receptor blocker which, when administered quickly, will result in temporarily reversing the overdose. It's widely used by medical emergency personnel across the country with "great success" and law enforcement agencies are starting to deploy the antidote to its uniform officers.

Reversing the overdose will allow time for more advanced treatment to the patient, the agency said. 

Holly Springs police will also discuss House Bill 965, which protects bystanders and victims who call for emergency help during an overdose.  

This legislation provides immunity from criminal charges, criminal or civil liability for the individual administering Narcan, and expands Narcan access to the layperson.