The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies have carried Narcan kits in their vehicles for just one week but have already had a need to use them to save a life.
About 7:40 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, deputies were called to the 4200 block of E. Arapahoe Road on a report of a welfare check. A man at that location reported seeing a vehicle swerving all over the road before abruptly coming to a stop. When he approached the stopped vehicle, he saw a female driver and male passenger, both unconscious and barely breathing.
On their arrival, deputies observed suspected heroin inside the vehicle. The man and woman were removed from the vehicle. Deputies administered Narcan to the man. Personnel from Littleton Fire Department arrived and administered a second dose of Narcan to the man and two doses to the woman. Both were transported to an area hospital.
Information from the hospital indicates that the Narcan doses administered at the scene significantly contributed to both people surviving. A variety of drugs were found in the vehicle and this remains an active criminal investigation.
Narcan (naloxone) is an opiate antidote that blocks the effects of opiates and reverses an overdose. Each Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle is equipped with a single dose of Narcan nasal spray. Heroin is a highly addictive drug and users can quickly develop dependence. Heroin slows heart function and breathing, sometimes enough to be life-threatening.
For substance abuse intervention services, contact Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners at 1-844-493-8255 (TALK).