Ocean County’s Narcan Program Results In Sixth Overdose Reversal In Three Days
OVERDOSE PREVENTION ACT PROTECTS THOSE WHO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE
Berkeley Township, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Berkeley Township Police Chief Karin DiMichele today announced the sixth overdose reversal by Ocean County’s newly instituted Narcan Program when a Berkeley Township Police Officer administered Narcan (Naloxone Spray).
The most recent reversal came at approximately 4:45 pm on April 23, when Berkeley Township Patrolman Jason Malley responded to a report of a drug overdose at a Hayes Avenue address in Bayville, NJ. Upon his arrival he found a 27 year old male on the bathroom floor unresponsive and not breathing. Ptl. Malley administered the Narcan spray, and with assistance from Ptl. John Mulvihill, provided rescue breathing to the victim. In just over five minutes the victim abruptly sat up and asked what had happened. Bayville First Aid Squad arrived and took over monitoring the victim’s recovery.
The fifth reversal came at approximately 10:54 am yesterday (4/23), when Lacey Township Police Sergeant Paul Sullivan responded to a medical emergency at a Frog Hollow Road address in Forked River. Upon his arrival he found a 30 year old female unresponsive, with shallow breathing and a weak pulse. Sgt. Sullivan administered the Narcan spray and the victim became responsive and alert within one to three minutes. Lacey Township First Aid Squad transported the victim to Southern Ocean County Hospital.
The fourth reversal came on April 22 when emergency medical personnel responded to a Briar Hill Apartments residence in Manchester and revived an unresponsive 28 year old male by administering Narcan.
The third reversal came at approximately 8:30 pm on April 22, when Seaside Heights Patrolman Edward Pasieka responded to a 911 call reference a heroin drug overdose at a Sampson Avenue address in Seaside Heights. Upon his arrival he found a 22 year old female on the living room floor unresponsive, with shallow breathing and a weak pulse. Officer Pasieka administered the Narcan spray and the victim immediately regained a strong pulse and began to breathe normally. A local First Aid Squad transported the victim to Community Medical Center in Toms River.
The second reversal came just before 3 am on April 22, when Seaside Heights Patrolman Erik Hershey responded to the Desert Palm Inn on North Ocean Avenue in Seaside Park. Officer Hershey administered the Narcan Nasal Spray and the female victim (in her mid-twenties) immediately became responsive. Tri-Boro First Aid Squad transported the victim to Community Medical Center in Toms River.
The first reversal came on April 6, when a male overdose victim (in his twenties) was revived when Seaside Heights Patrolman Daniel Davis, with assistance from Ptl. Lawrence Mayberry, administered the Narcan spray.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office developed the Narcan program’s policy and training protocols in early January of this year, and will assist other counties across New Jersey in starting their own Narcan programs. The first Narcan Kits were distributed throughout the county over the past month.
The above overdose victims and those who called for medical assistance will not face drug charges under the Overdose Prevention Act signed into law on May 2, 2013. According to the State Office of the Attorney General, the overarching purpose of the Overdose Prevention Act is to encourage persons to seek immediate medical assistance whenever a drug overdose occurs. In the past, there have been instances where persons were reluctant or unwilling to call authorities for help for fear that this might lead to an arrest or prosecution for illegal drug use or possession.