The Barry County Sheriff’s Office reports the successful use of Naloxone rescue kits twice within four days.

Naloxone rescue kits reverse opioid related overdoses and addresses the increase in drug overdose mortality primarily caused by opioid overdoses. The kits were recently dispersed to the Law Enforcement and Corrections Divisions of the sheriff’s office.  

On April 24, Deputy Jeremiah Kimbel successfully administered Naloxone to a person in medical distress due to an apparent overdose in the Village of Nashville. After administering the medication, the patient was transported by EMS to a local hospital.

On April 28, Deputy William Romph also successfully administered Naloxone to a person in medical distress from an apparent overdose in the City of Hastings.

Sheriff’s office personnel took training in March on the use of the kit and how to recognize, treat, and provide follow-up care to one who has overdosed on an opioid. A new law effective Jan. 12, 2015, allows law enforcement agencies to purchase and equip their personnel with the kits when the officers have been trained in their use.

Common opioids include heroin, morphine, Vicodin, methadone, OxyContin and fentanyl, as well as many others.