#MiddleburyCT #OpioidOverdoseKit #Narcan #MiddleburyPoliceDepartment
Opioid overdose rescue kits like this one are free to anyone who goes to the Middlebury Police Department at 200 Southford Road to pick one up. Once you are buzzed in, you will find them in the lobby, and you can take one and leave. (Middlebury Police Department photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
The Middlebury Police Department is offering free opioid overdose kits to anyone who wants one. On July 17, they posted the photo shown here on Facebook along with the statement that the kits are available 24/7 at the Middlebury Police Dept. People are encouraged to help prevent an overdose death by picking up a free kit for their business, home or vehicle. Call 203-577-4028 with any questions.
Officer William Kalvaitis explained he had attended overdose response training by the Western Connecticut Coalition. He said he attends monthly meetings in Southbury that address ways law enforcement officers can deal constructively with people who have mental health or addiction issues.
Kalvaitis said police officers see people with all kinds of addictions. He said, “We try to help them. We’re there to help first.”
Middlebury Police Chief Patrick Deely said, “We’re trying to help people with mental health and addiction issues. That’s why we’ve put time and money into training our officers.”
He said Middlebury resident Ron Clark, a former state trooper and former police commissioner, was instrumental in encouraging the department to train its officers to deal with these issues. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for his efforts,” Deely said.
The rescue kits include two doses of Narcan (a brand of naloxone) and instructions on how to proceed when responding to an overdose. The Coalition provided them at no cost to the police department
The Coalition website, www.wctcoalition.org, says they will be announcing the dates of the fall free online naloxone overdose prevention training. It states the immersive webinar equips viewers with life-saving skills to prevent opioid overdoses. They gain the knowledge and confidence to:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose
- Administer naloxone (Narcan) and reverse overdoses
- Identify harm reduction strategies and support resources
- Advocate for overdose prevention in their community
You must be logged in to post a comment.