Buffalo Officers to Carry Overdose Antidote

Buffalo police officers – who can be first on the scene when responding to a report of a heroin overdose – will soon carry a powerful prescription drug to reverse the effects of an overdose.

The Buffalo Police Department will become the first department locally to train officers on how to administer Narcan. The drug, which police will dispense through a nasal spray, has been successful in treating overdoses of heroin and other opiates, including OxyContin and Vicodin, the Buffalo News reports.

“We’ve seen a nationwide epidemic of heroin overdoses. It’s hitting Buffalo. It’s hitting the suburbs,” said Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda. “Basically, if somebody’s overdosing, this could save their life.”