Moore Police Using New Rescue Drug For Overdose Patients

We all know that drug overdoses are a huge problem in Oklahoma. But now the Moore Police Department will be the first in the metro to start using a new rescue drug called Naloxone, that many say will save lives.

Wednesday afternoon, representatives with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health delivered the first kits to the Moore Police Department. Police officers are typically the first on the scene when there is an overdose but up until now all they could do was wait for an ambulance.

“It's kind of a helpless feeling not being able to do anything when you have someone who is obviously in danger,” said Jeremy Lewis with the Moore Police Department.

Moore Police Officers have been trained to use the nasal spray that works on both, prescription painkiller and heroin overdoses.

“It will actually reverse or completely reverse the overdose,” said Demetrick Jones with the OU Southwest Prevention Center.

The Initiative by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health was kicked off with a pilot program in Tulsa where so far 15 lives have been saved. In Cleveland County where the OU Southwest Prevention Center is leading the cause they say, there's no reason not to expect the same results.

“I'm very confident it will save lives,” said Jones. “We're really excited about it.”

Norman PD and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department will also eventually be getting the kits.

If you have a loved one you are concerned about, Naloxone is also available at select Walgreens and Economy Pharmacies.

For more information on Naloxone: