Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies will now carry the life-saving drug Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversing drug used to save the lives of those with respiratory failure from opioid overdose, a sheriff’s news release said.

The Naloxone brand of Evzio from Kaleo Pharmaceuticals will be given to the entire patrol, detective and administrative divisions and was made possible by a grant from Kaleo.  Evzio is an intramuscular, auto injectable device that safely and effectively delivers naloxone when administered.

The sheriff’s office worked with the Allegan County Health Department to ensure proper policy on the possession, use, storage and inventory of Evzio.  Three health department nurses are trained as trainers to facilitate on-going training.

The Grand Rapids Red Project was in Allegan and Saugatuck to provide all-inclusive training on Naloxone and how to administer it, along with in-depth information on the ever-growing opioid crisis.

Undersheriff Mike Larsen attended the training.  “This was a collaborative effort with our county partners and our community partners to bring this life saving tool to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and ultimately the citizens of Allegan County,” Larsen said. “The product and the training that our deputies received will save lives in Allegan County.”