The El Dorado Police Department is still researching the use of an antidote as emergency treatment for drug overdoses.
In January, Mayor Frank Hash said the El Dorado City Council would be willing to review the 2018 city budget to see if funding would be available for the EPD to purchase “reverse medication” to block the effects of opioids.
The conversation took place as aldermen considered participating in an effort by the state to combat an opioid addiction crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths around the country in recent years.
The city eventually joined the Arkansas Municipal League and other Arkansas municipalities to investigate and prosecute claims against companies and other parties that manufacture and/or distribute opioid medications.
Police Chief Billy White previously said that while some police departments carry antidotes — such as Narcan, a nasal spray — to treat drug overdoses, the EPD does not.
Fire Chief Chad Mosby said fire department emergency medical workers have regularly administered reverse medications while treating victims who overdose on opioids and other narcotics.
Mosby said the EFD uses other medications beside Narcan to treat overdoses.
“We carry a drug that’s administered through an IV. It’s more controlled and it brings them out of it more slowly,” Mosby said.
White said the use of antidotes would require little training for officers.
However, Capt. Kevin Holt recently told city officials “there would be a substantial cost to equip” 51 officers with an antidote such as Narcan.
“Each unit is a one-dose deal. Unless it’s a single-dose unit, if there’s any left, you can’t use it again,” Holt said.
He noted that when the police department responds to drug overdoses, the EFD emergency medical service is also summoned to the scene.
“Because if they OD, at that point, they’re going to need hospital care,” Holt said.
He said the EPD will continue to look into costs and other options to treat drug overdoses.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].