Second drug overdose save reported by GPD officers
For the second time in eight days, fast action by police officers and the availability of a nasal spray that counters life-threatening effects of an overdose have likely saved a life in Greencastle.
The latest incident came Saturday, April 29 as Greencastle City Police Sgt. Ed Wilson and Officer Nick Eastham were dispatched to a residence on Evensview Drive to investigate an accidental overdose.
The GPD officers, who had arrived on the scene simultaneously, quickly assessed the situation and concluded the individual had possibly overdosed on an unknown narcotic. The victim was unresponsive at the time of their arrival.
Sgt. Wilson acted quickly, administering his department-issued Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, authorities said.
Within minutes the individual was responsive and was able to be transported to the Putnam County Hospital by Operation Life ambulance.
It is believed that the male subject accidentally ingested more than the prescribed dose of prescribed medication, police said.
The initial incident occurred Saturday, April 22 when an unconscious woman was found in her car at Super Wash on Indianapolis Road, apparently overdosing on an unknown narcotic.
In that case, Sgt. Wilson also administered his department-issued Naloxone. However, the first intranasal dose was not fully effective, prompting a second dose to be administered by Officer Elsiana Crosby. Within minutes the woman was responsive and transported to the hospital.
All Greencastle Police Department officers are certified in use of Narcan and currently carry Naloxone in their vehicles so they can respond to any incidents whether on or off-duty.
An Indiana Attorney General's Office grant supplied local officers with Narcan, considered a valuable tool to fight the effects of drug overdose. Armed with intranasal doses of Naloxone, officers can more readily respond to heroin and other narcotic overdoses.