New tool for police agencies: Simple nasal mist is saving lives

RACINE CO. (WITI) -- It's a simple spray, but it saves lives. Members of the Racine County Sheriff's Office have seen just how effective this new tool. Now, the sheriff is pushing for more departments to get on board.

For some time, paramedics have used Naloxone or Narcan to treat people who have overdosed on opiates; drugs like oxycodone, morphine and heroin. It comes in the form of a nasal mist that stops the flow of the opiate.

"In my view, it's in the same spirit as a defibrillator," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling.

Earlier this month, Schmaling says deputies used Narcan for the first time. Then Tuesday night, deputies used it to treat a 20-year-old woman in the Town of Raymond who had stopped breathing after she injected heroin.

"She was actually blue and after administering the nasal Narcan, Naloxone as it's known, she began breathing and within a few moments she was up and speaking," said Schmaling.

Schmaling says if any other police agencies are thinking about putting Narcan in their patrol cars, two calls in Racine County should answer their questions.

The woman who was treated Tuesday night is now in the Racine County Jail. After being released from the hospital, she was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and violating probation.

Sheriff Schmaling says he hopes the woman goes through drug court to begin her recovery.