Governor Phil Bryant and John Dowdy, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics recently announced the plan to train law enforcement officers to administer NARCAN to individuals experiencing a drug overdose.
NARCAN or Naloxone, is a nasal spray that can be used to combat the effects of a drug overdose.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol said that they have wasted no time in training their officers.
“This is some dangerous stuff that we are talking about,” said Capt. Johnny Poulos with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. “I’ve done the research on it. Our public service division is training troopers on NARCAN and how to carry it.”
NARCAN or Naloxone, is a nasal spray that can be used to combat the effects of a drug overdose.
“If you happen to come upon a subject that is having an overdose due to opioid use, there’s a good possibility that we can save this person now that we have this,” said Poulos.
However, the MHP says they are taking the new responsibility in stride.
“We definitely look at it from the standpoint of officers making traffic stops and coming in contact with fentanyl or carfentanil,” said Poulos.
Both fentanyl and carfentanil are fast acting and dangerous drugs.
Poulos said that they have had some officers almost lose their lives due to exposure to fentanyl or carfentanil.
“That’s why it’s so important for officers to carry this NARCAN. It’s very fast acting because the drugs are very deadly,” said Poulos. “That’s another tool that we have to go out and not only serve the public but possibly save an officers life too.”
