Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
State police to carry anti-OD drug
He will discuss putting it in Pennsylvania State Police vehicles across the commonwealth
Gov. Tom Wolf is putting naloxone in Pennsylvania State Police vehicles across the commonwealth.
He is expected to discuss his plan to expand statewide access of the life-saving drug, commonly known as Narcan, at a press conference this week in Lancaster County. Naloxone reverses effects of an opiate/opioid overdose, like heroin or prescription OxyContin.
“I’m proud to announce that for the first time, the Pennsylvania State Police will carry naloxone kits in the patrol cars and be able to administer the drug through a nasal spray,” Wolf wrote in an Op-Ed column, published today in the Daily Times and online at delcotimes.com. “My administration is working to ensure that first responders all across the commonwealth have access to naloxone and training on how to administer it.”
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan has been anxious for the state police to implement a program, which would make naloxone available in all 49 towns in Delaware County.
“The governor’s support of the naloxone initiative in Delaware County is important because it will fill a gap that remains open, especially in the western part
of the county,” which are patrolled by state police, Whelan said Friday. “We are having deaths and overdoses in the western end and right now, if state police are the first to arrive, they have to wait for a paramedic. This initiative will add to the many lives that have already been saved as a result of police carrying naloxone.”
State police coverage areas in Delaware County include Chadds Ford, Chester Heights, Concord, Edgmont, Middletown, Rose Valley and Thornbury.
Whelan plans to attend the press conference in Lancaster County. Joining him will be a patrol officer f rom a Delaware County police department who has administered naloxone.
“I am excited to hear from the governor, and work with him on rolling out the Pennsylvania State Police program,” Whelan said. “I commend the governor for his initiative. I think it is going to make a big difference in Delaware County.”
In the Op-Ed piece, the Democratic governor said Delaware County “has proven to be a model in implementing Dav id’s Law, which he noted went into effect with bipartisan support.
David’s Law was signed by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett last September and went into effect Nov. 29, 2014. It is named after 27-year-old David John Massi II of Upper Chichester, who died of an accidental overdose of a mix of drugs including heroin, on Jan. 27, 2013.
Within months of her nephew’s death, Lynne Massi, of Chester County, teamed with Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan to lobby for changes in drug laws to include Good Samaritan immunity for those who report an overdose. They eventually went to state Sen. Dominic Pi-
“I’m committed to working with the state police, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Department of Health to fully implement David’s Law. Further, my proposed 2015-16 budget includes funding for the Department of Human Services to provide naloxone kits to first responders, local drug and alcohol programs, and others across the state.”
— Gov. Tom Wolf
leggi, R-9, of Chester, who became the prime sponsor of the final legislation. Also instrumental in both amending and pushing the legislation were state Rep. Joseph Hackett, R-161, of Ridley Township, and state Rep. Gene DiGirolomo, R-18, of Bensalem.
In addition to providing first responders members with access to naloxone under certain protocols, David’s Law allows naloxone to be prescribed to friends and family members under certain protocols. It also provides limited immunity to those who report a drug overdose to authorities.
“I’m committed to working with the state police, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Department of Health to fully implement David’s Law,” Wolf wrote. “Further, my proposed 2015-16 budget includes funding for the Department of Human Services to provide naloxone kits to first responders, local drug and alcohol programs, and others across the state.”
In the Op-Ed piece, the governor acknowledged the impact of the disease of addiction on lives and families, as well as the havoc brought on communities by the heroin and prescription drug trade.
“We must keep our communities safe and healthy,” he wrote. “Saving lives by preventing overdoses will help law enforcement and local governments do just that.”
As of Friday, there have been 31 lives saved by police administration of naloxone in Delaware County, according to Emily Harris, spokeswoman for the Delaware County D.A.’s office.
Citing statistics provided by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, Harris said there have been 52 deaths related to opioids in Delaware County in each of the last three years. This year, there have been eight, with toxicology pending in seven other cases, she said.
Municipal police in Delaware County, the first officers in the state to be trained and equipped in the use of naloxone, began carrying naloxone nasal kits in patrol vehicles when David Law’s went into effect back in November. Whelan’s office is overseeing the administration of the model program, with financial assistance from the Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health, and medical protocol oversight by Haverford Township EMS.
In February, Whelan penned a letter to Wolf’s office, offering any assistance to state police that might expedite the implementation of a naloxone program. On Friday, Whelan said that offer still stands.
“My office will assist the Pennsylvania State Police to make sure the drug is available to them, and any training they need can be done through the Delaware County District Attorney’s website,” he said.