IPSD officers trained in use of Narcan

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — With the number of heroin overdoses in Ironwood and across the nation rising, the Ironwood Public Safety Department has trained and equipped its officers with Narcan, used in drug cases.

“When officers arrive on the scene of overdoses with unconscious subjects, they can administer Narcan, which reduces the side effects of the substance the individual may have overdosed on,” said IPSD Director Andrew DiGiorgio,

People who have overdosed and receive Narcan are then transported to Aspirus Grand View Hospital’s emergency department by Beacon Ambulance.

“While the Narcan takes the side effects away and brings the subjects out of their unconscious states, it does not take the substance out of their systems,” DiGiorgio said Monday.

He added that the IPSD and local Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotics Team continue to make arrests for violations of controlled substance laws.

He noted as prescription drug abusers are finding it more difficult to get their hands on often abused prescription pills, they have turned to heroin as a cheaper and more easily accessible alternative.

“While law enforcement throughout the state continues to battle the heroin epidemic, it is a far bigger problem than law enforcement can address alone. Citizens are encouraged to contact the IPSD or any of our local law enforcement agencies to report any tips on illegal drug activity,” DiGiorgio said.

Narcan only affects people who are using opioids. If a person is not having an overdose but has been using opioids, Narcan will put them into immediate withdrawal.