“Another Chance: Reversing the Effects of Opiate Overdoses”
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Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan sponsored a training for police officers and firefighters from across Middlesex County in how to use the drug Narcan for the treatment of opioid overdoses.

“The dangers of illegal drug use and abuse, especially the use of heroin, have, unfortunately, become very well known in recent weeks,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “Since January, in Middlesex County, alone, more than 45 people have died from fatal drug overdoses.”

“Every day, throughout the county, our police departments are working hard to halt the efforts of those who are bringing these deadly drugs into our communities.  While our law enforcement partners are engaged in that important effort, we are also working on prevention initiatives with our community partners to raise awareness around the issues of drug use and abuse, especially with our young people.”

“There is, however, yet another aspect of this deadly issue that we must be addressing and that is how to effectively treat users who have overdosed.  Nasal Naloxone is a safe treatment that reverses the effects of an overdose and, when administered properly, it can mean the difference between life and death.  We want every community in Middlesex to have the experience to be able to use it effectively and that’s why we convened this training.”

“Another Chance: Reversing the Effects of Opiate Overdoses” was a train-the-trainer initiative offered to first responders in all Middlesex County communities. The training convened by District Attorney Ryan on Thursday, April 17, included an in-depth medical educational component led by pharmacist David Morgan and emergency room physician Dr. Daniel Muse.  Officers from the Stoughton Police Department then led a hands-on session to give attendees practical experience with administering Nasal Naloxone.

In Middlesex County in 2012, there were 65 fatal overdoses, and in 2013 there were 80.  To date, in 2014, there have been more than 45 deaths.

Middlesex County is the largest county in Massachusetts and one of the largest counties in the country with 54 cities and towns and 26 colleges in urban, suburban, and rural areas, comprising over one quarter of the population of Massachusetts.  The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has offices throughout the county, including in Ayer, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Newton, Somerville, Waltham and Woburn.