There is not much hope for those who have overdosed on heroin or those having life-threatening allergic reactions.
But Athens County Emergency Medical Services Chief Rick Callebs said requiring responders to carry Epipens and Narcan, sometimes known as Naloxone, on their person could counter the effects and save a life.
Callebs said EMS responders have carried Epipens and Narcan, a drug that can counter the effects of heroin and morphine when injected, for more than 20 years.
“Most places that are paramedic-staffed have been doing this for years, so it’s not that unusual,” he said. “Carrying those have been a part of our standing orders since the mid-1980s.”
Callebs said if the training is in place, having other law enforcement offices, including the sheriff or fire departments, could go a long way in saving lives.
“They probably wouldn’t use them that often,” he said. “But on that one out of a thousand calls, it could be something that saves a life.”
But Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly and Athens Fire Department Chief Bob Troxel said they aren’t planning on equipping their deputies and responders with the drugs.
“We do not provide emergency medical services, so we don’t have any plans to provide our firefighters with Narcan or Epipens,” Troxel said. “If we need a squad, we know to call the EMS.”
Kelly said he doesn’t plan on having his deputies carry the drugs because “that’s not our job.”
“We’ll do our best to preserve a life, but we’re not going to get into medicine, no way,” Kelly said. “I’d rather stop all the addiction in the county so we don’t have to do that.”
Kelly added that he doesn’t anticipate having his deputies carrying Narcan or Epipens in the near future, partly because of the cost.
But Callebs said the cost of Narcan and Epipens is cheap.
“Epinephrine is $1.20 and we could get three injections from that,” Callebs said. “Narcan is more expensive, at about $2.49 per bottle.”
Callebs added that one bottle of Narcan is not enough for an overdose; five doses is the proper amount.
“Having something like this in schools could save somebody’s life, and we fully support that,” Callebs said.
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Narcan, Epipens help EMS save lives"
