In response to the growing national opioid crisis, the Pella Police Department is now carrying a life-saving drug for those showing symptoms of an overdose.

Lt. Bret Haupert tells KNIA/KRLS News officers are now trained and equipped with Naloxone–in this case the NARCAN brand, which is a nasal spray that can counteract the effects of heroin and other common opioids in an emergency situation.

“In medical emergencies where someone is overdosing–seconds count,” he says. “Basically, when someone starts to overdose, they stop breathing and soon after, they go into cardiac arrest.”

“What NARCAN does is basically counteract that effect and allows a person to start breathing again.”

Haupert says they’ve had the counter-agent for a short period of time, and this weekend used it to save a life. He says they also not only have the spray for use on those afflicted with an overdose, but they keep it handy in case an investigating officer or bystander inadvertently becomes exposed to opioids.

“Working narcotics, we are often put into situations where we would encounter these drugs, and there is always a possibility that we can have accidental exposure to an opioid, and these NARCAN doses can help us if we need it.”

Hear more about the Pella Police Department and their use of NARCAN on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.