Police officers save life of drug user in Vernon

A Vernon man is alive today because police carry naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses from drugs such as fentanyl and heroin.

Two Vernon RCMP officers saved the life of a 23-year-old man under a makeshift shelter in the 3400 block of 27th Avenue on June 9.

The details of the heroics weren’t released until this week.

It was just before midnight when the two cops were on patrol and a man approached, asking for help for his friend who was overdosing.

The officers found the man unconscious and recognized the symptoms of opiate overdose.

They quickly administered three doses of naloxone and started CPR.

After 10 minutes of CPR, the man responded to the compressions, breaths and naloxone and came back to life.

“Unfortunately, like many other communities in B.C., our officers deal with the effects of fentanyl and its derivatives on a regular basis,” said Insp. Gord Stewart.

“The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP commends these two officers and the quick thinking and compassion displayed by both in a crisis situation.”

All on-duty operational RCMP officers now are trained and carry naloxone kits so they can provide first aid to the increasing number of drug users who overdose in the wake of the opioid crisis.