BSO expands use of opiate antidote Narcan

The Broward Sheriff’s Office has expanded its use of Narcan, an opiate overdose counteragent. Deputies in all districts will carry the lifesaving medication thanks to a grant from the Florida Sheriffs Association.

“Our firefighters have administered Narcan for years, so I recognized the importance of putting this opiate antidote in the hands of our deputies, who are often the first to arrive on scene,” Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said.

The Florida Sheriffs Association provided 1,200 units of Narcan spray in a nasal pump applicator. The supply is enough to last oneand-a-half to two years, said BSO Executive Director David Scharf.

The pump is suitable for law enforcement and first responders who have a basic understanding of medical protocols. Whereas firefighters and emergency medical technicians are trained to Scharf said.

“What’s good about this stuff is if it’s not an overdose [the spray] won’t hurt anybody,” Scharf said. “It’s a stop-gap measure.”

Since Deputies and detectives began treating overdose cases with the Narcan pump in April, it’s saved about 20 lives, Scharf said.

Narcan also ensures the safety of deputies and canines in the event that they accidently come in contact with the synthetic opiates fentanyl and carfentanil, Scharf said. They’re often mixed with heroin or used as a substitute.

“Synthetic fentanyl and particularly carfentanil in very minute doses can kill somebody,” Scharf said. “Officers have overdosed without knowing they’ve been exposed.”

This year the number of overdose deaths continues to climb from 582 lives lost in 2016. Isreal said in Broward County drugs claim use intramuscular injections, two deaths a day, more than car accidents or gun-related homicides

“The opiate crisis is deadly,” Isreal said.

As chairman of the Community Response Team in partnership with the United Way of Broward County, Scharf and his team have put on hundreds of presentations about the dangers of drugs for schools, community groups and treament providers.

When speaking with students in middle and high schools, their feedback shows that kids know exactly what drugs are out there, he said.

“We’re very concerned about young people getting ahold of fentanyl cut into regular heroin,” Scharf said. “We don’t want to see any more deaths.”

To request a presentation about heroin or other illicit drugs, call 954-375-6180.

hwolt@sun-sentinel.com very real and very