This Fall, Dakota County Deputies will be carrying around a drug call Narcan, while on duty. This drug is used in opioid overdoses to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, and allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally. Narcan is a non-addictive, prescription medication and only works if a person has opioids in their system. Although it’s traditionally administered by emergency response personnel, this drug can be administered by minimally trained people, which makes it ideal for treating an overdose in people who have been prescribed opioid pain medication and in people who use heroin and other opioids. Dakota County Sheriff, Dave Bellows, talks about this drug.
