TOMAHAWK – The Tomahawk Police Department (TPD) recently received a grant from the Wisconsin Division of Care and Treatment for two cases of Narcan, as well as an additional two cases donated by North Central Health Care.
Naloxone, the active ingredient in the nasal spray Narcan, is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“It is an opioid antagonist,” the NIDA’s website says. “This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder.”
Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine and morphine, according to the NIDA.
In his May monthly report to Mayor Michael “Hob” Habeck, the City of Tomahawk Health and Safety Committee, the City of Tomahawk Common Council and the Tomahawk Police and Fire Commissioners, Tomahawk Police Chief Al Elvins said the value of the NIDA grant was $1,080.00.
TPD requires all employees to attend a training session focused on Narcan, according to Elvins.
“We have saved several lives by having this item in the past,” Elvins stated.
North Central Health Care provided TPD with two cases of Narcan as well, also with a value of $1,080.00, Elvins added.
“This was provided to the department at no cost,” Elvins stated.
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