Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Deputy Administers Naloxone

Great Mills, Maryland - On April 2, 2015, Deputy Vincent Pontorno responded to a residence on Chancellor's Run Road after 9 1 1 received a report of an adult female having difficulty breathing. Deputy Pontorno arrived first on the scene and quickly assessed the woman who was unresponsive. As a precaution, Deputy Pontorno administered a dose of Naloxone. She immediately regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital.

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the St. Mary's County Health Department, has trained and equipped all Sheriff's Office deputies with Naloxone. Naloxone is a fast-acting opioid antagonist administered through the nostril. When a person is suspected of overdosing on an opioid, such as hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, or heroin, (the illegal, non-prescriptive form of an opioid), Naloxone can reverse induced respiratory depression when administered in a timely manner and substantially reduce the probability of death.

For information on treatment and support, visit www.waldensierra.org or call the 24/7 Walden Sierra hotline at 301.863.6661.