AgdaPkt 2018-09-10 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6.1.D. - Page 7 Equipping law enforcement officers with intranasal naloxone (trade name Narcan®) can expedite treatment for overdose victims and officers who are accidentally exposed to powerful fentanyl derivatives. Law enforcement officers can be the first to respond to an opioid overdose, particularly in more sparsely populated areas.$ Even when paramedics are the first to respond to an overdose, if the scene compromises their safety, paramedics must wait until law enforcement arrives and secures the area before offering medical assistance. Lethal doses of fentanyl derivatives can be accidentally absorbed, posing a risk of overdose to those individuals whose jobs bring them into potential proximity. In particular, law enforcement officers and employees in the Coroner's Office and the Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory are at heightened risk of exposure.9 Equipping these at -risk employees with intranasal naloxone can mitigate their risk from accidental exposure. Police dogs in K-9 units are also at special risk and can also be protected with naloxone. Law enforcement officers, following approximately one hour of training, can easily administer intranasal naloxone to opioid overdose victims. Available in the United States since November 2015, all first responders in the County are authorized to carry intranasal naloxone subject to being able to fulfill EMS standards and requirements. Although the San Mateo County Joint Narcotics Task Force (the NTF) is currently developing an officer -carry naloxone pilot program, no law enforcement agencies in the County train and equip their personnel to carry and administer intranasal naloxone.10 The only emergency responders within the County currently carrying naloxone are fire department and ambulance paramedics (paramedics). 11 In 2017, the White House Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis concluded: "We must equip all law enforcement in the United States with naloxone to save lives. ,12 Over 1,200 law enforcement agencies in 39 states have authorized officers to carry naloxone. In California, 36 law enforcement agencies currently equip officers with naloxone and 6 agencies have approved, but not yet implemented, naloxone programs (Appendix 1).13 The 2017-18 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury recommends that all law enforcement officers in the County, and employees of the Sheriff's Forensic Lab and County Coroner's Office be equipped with intranasal naloxone on their person or in their vehicles as a minimum standard of practice. 8 Emergency Medical Services, "When Every Second Counts: San Mateo County Emergency Medical Services System Overview 2015-2016" County of San Mateo. Accessed on March 5, 2018. <httns://www.smchealth.or2/sites/main/files/file-attachments/ems annual final O.Ddf> 9 DEA Public Affairs, "DEA Warning to Police and Public: Fentanyl Exposure Kills" Drug Enforcement Agency, June 10, 2016. <httr)s://www.dea.2ov/divisions/ha/2016/ha061016.shtml> 101bid. " Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement agencies and other County officials. 12 The President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, "Final Report Draft", Presidential Commission Reports. by Chris Christie, Charlie Baker, Roy Cooper, Patrick J. Kennedy, Bertha Madras, and Pam Blondi. Last Modified November 1, 2017: 119. <httns://www.whitehouse.Qov/sites/whitehouse.Qov/files/images/Final Report Draft 11-1-2017.ndf>. 13 Grand Jury interviews and investigations. 2017-2018 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury