News Releases

Chief Manger Speaks About Opioid Epidemic at Narcan Training Class

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Today, in conjunction with the Police Department's holding of an Opiate Overdose Response Program class, Chief Manger talked to members of the media about the opioid epidemic in Montgomery County.  He spoke about the Depatment's efforts to combat this rising problem by training officers in the use of Narcan.  Narcan, a life-saving drug, immediately counters the effects of opioid overdose.

The County has seen a 145% increase in the number of opioid overdoses (fatal and non-fatal) in the last four years.  In 2014, Montgomery County Police responded to 52 non-fatal and 40 fatal overdoses.   In 2017, officers responded to 57 non-fatal overdoses and 69 fatal overdoses.

Chief Manger recognizes that the ability for officers to be trained in the administration of Narcan is a valuable tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic.  Officers who attend the Opiate Overdose Response Program class learn about the fundamentals of addiction, how opiates affect the body, and how Narcan works to reverse the effects of an overdose.  Officers also learn about resources that are available in the county to help overdose victims and their families.  Approximately 200 Montgomery County police officers have completed this training and carry Narcan.

Chief Manger and the Department thank the Montgomery County Police Foundation for their support of the Montgomery County Police Department's Opiate Overdose Response Program.  The Police Foundation contributed over $1,500 to the purchasing of cases that hold the Narcan.

Link to live stream press event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mcpnews/videos/1531607153583495/

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Release ID: 18-019
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: training