District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland joined Chief Joseph A. Ryan of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, President of Delaware County Community College (DCCC), and members of the President’s Senior Leadership team on March 22 to announce that Narcan nasal spray, an opioid reversal medicine, is now readily accessible to the public and included in automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets on Delaware County Community College campuses, enabling anyone who is nearby an overdose victim to potentially save their life. District Attorney Copeland and Chief Ryan provided Narcan training along with an overview of Heroin Task Force initiatives including the disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications through the permanent disposal drop boxes located throughout the county. Delaware County Community College is the first college campus in Delaware County the Heroin Task Force has partnered with to provide Narcan for their AED cabinets.
“We commend Delaware County Community College for partnering with our Heroin Task Force to be one of the first colleges in Delaware County to make this life-saving drug readily available in their AED cabinets,” said District Attorney Katayoun Copeland. “In addition to the Marple Campus, the Upper Darby Center and Southeast Center in Sharon Hill will also receive Narcan for their AED machines. Through the efforts of the Heroin Task Force these initiatives contribute to a holistic approach to the opioid epidemic, enabling bystanders to save a life in times of an emergency. While this is a life-saving drug, we recognize the importance of continuing to provide education, proper safe disposal of medicines, and connecting residents to resources such as recovery programs and workforce development.”
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that is easy to administer and quickly reverses the side effects of an opioid overdose with no side effects when administered to someone who is not suffering from an overdose. The Narcan kit, manufactured by Adapt Pharmaceutical and provided through grant funding from the Heroin Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office, includes two 4-mg doses with step-by-step instructions to assist anyone in administering the nasal spray.
District Attorney Copeland continues to partner with communities across Delaware County in an effort to provide free Narcan kits and overdose response training to individuals who work in recovery and other community partners. To schedule a free Narcan training, please call the District Attorney’s Office at 610-891-4168. To learn how to respond to an overdose emergency and receive online training, individuals can visit the District Attorney’s website at www.delcoDA.com.