Earlier this month police officers and firefighters in North Adams started carrying the opioid overdose reversal drug known as Narcan. They’ve already had to use the kits multiple times.Director Michael Cozzaglio began issuing overdose reversal kits to his 24 police officers April 1 becoming the first department in Berkshire County to carry them. Between April 7 and April 14 ten doses were administered to five people.
“These people were dying,” Cozzalgio said. “By administering them the narcan it brought them back to life. They were transported to the hospital. As far as we know they’re still alive today. We can only now that some sort of interdiction takes place and they can get some treatment.”
Each North Adams fire truck also has a kit. Cozzalgio says the police department has spent $3,000 on training and 70 doses of Narcan. He is already ordering more.