CCPD Officers have saved 19 lives this month using Narcan
Saturday, June 27, 2015
(Camden CITY NJ) JUNE 26, 2015– Camden County Police Department officers have now saved the lives of 93 overdose victims by administering the anti-opiod medication Narcan, including 19 so far in June. One of the saves was made by an officer who just graduated from the police academy earlier this month.
Monday, officers made two saves in separate incidents. Shortly after 1 p.m., Officer Steve Sooy was on patrol in the area of 7th & Pine streets when he was advised about an unconscious man inside a parked pick-up truck. Officer Sooy quickly located the man, who was struggling to breathe and turning blue. Officer Sooy administered Narcan and the man began to regain consciousness after a few minutes. He was then taken to Cooper University Hospital. Then, just before 11:30 p.m., Officer Daryl Albert responded to the area of Mount Ephraim Avenue and Admiral Wilson Boulevard where a man was lying unresponsive on the ground and experiencing a heroin overdose. Officer Albert administered Narcan and the man regained consciousness before being taken to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.
On Saturday, June 20, officers responded to the corner of 7th and Kaighn where a man was lying unconscious on the ground after having used heroin. Officer Kevin Hiller administered Narcan and the victim immediately regained consciousness. He was then taken to Cooper University Hospital.
On Friday, June 19, Officer Scott Mulford responded to the area of 8th and Walnut to investigate a possible overdose. He quickly located a male victim lying on the ground behind a church. The victim, who had used heroin, was unresponsive with blue lips and struggling to breathe. Officer Mulford administered Narcan and the victim regained consciousness within a minute. He was then taken to Cooper University Hospital for further treatment.
On Wednesday, June 17, Officer Tyrrell Bagby responded to the corner of 5th and Mickle where a man experiencing a heroin overdose was unresponsive near a parking lot. Both EMS and Officer Bagby administered Narcan and the victim began to regain consciousness before being taken to Cooper University Hospital.
And on Monday, June 15, officers saved two lives in separate incidents. Around 1:20 p.m., officers on patrol in the area of 5th and Mickle responded to a truck that was pulled over with a male passenger inside who was unconscious and not breathing. Officer Alexander Palmer – who just joined the force after graduating from the Camden County College Police Academy earlier this month – quickly administered Narcan. The victim began to regain consciousness before being taken to Cooper University Hospital. Then around 4:15 p.m. that day, Officer Anthony Grandinetti responded to the area of 4th and Mount Vernon where an unresponsive man was in a schoolyard struggling to breathe. Officer Grandinetti administered Narcan and the victim began to breathe normally and became responsive before being taken to Cooper University Hospital for further treatment.
The city has seen an elevated number of heroin overdoses recently with at least 111 so far in June, including nine fatalities. The Camden County Police Department has issued public safety alerts about the danger to drug users purchasing narcotics in the city. Anyone with information about the distribution, sale or use of drugs should immediately call the department’s anonymous tip line at (856) 757-7042.
For information about addiction prevention, recovery treatment and other available services for drug users and families, including crisis hotline numbers, visit the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force website at addictions.camdencounty.com. For addiction help call the CRISIS hotline at 877-266-8222 or call 911 in the event of an emergency.