Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara Police Department
Since its initial implementation in mid-2019, the Santa Barbara Police Department Naloxone (Narcan) program has enabled the use of Naloxone as a lifesaving tool for Officers in the field. This program gives Officers the ability to utilize Naloxone on subjects in distress while responding to calls for service or on Officers in the event of an accidental exposer. The Department was able to accomplish this with the assistance of Santa Barbara County Public Health and the Pacific Pride Foundation. They both generously provide the Department with the lifesaving medication as well as assisted in providing the required training needed to allow and enable Officers to administer the Naloxone.
In addition to the new training and acceptance of the Naloxone, new Department Policy was introduced which stresses the importance of saving lives, responding quickly to the scene and properly using the Naloxone. One such policy put in place now allows Officers to respond or be dispatched Code 3 (lights and sirens) to any overdose emergency alongside City Fire/Rescue and American Medical Response (AMR). This ensures that the was closest emergency First Responder to the possible overdose location has the proper tools and ability to act and save a life.
Yesterday, June 22, 2020 at 2:44 PM, Officers responded Code 3 to Pershing Park located on Castillo Street near the beach. The 911 emergency call came in to the City’s Combined Communication Center and was reported as a subject found unresponsive after possibly overdosing on heroin. SBPD Officers arrived on scene just prior to City Fire/Rescue and American Medical Response Medics. Officers located the victim, a Santa Barbara resident, 32 years old and determined they were in serious distress and not breathing. Officers immediately began to perform CPR. It was confirmed the victim had in fact introduced a controlled substance into their system moments prior to the 911 emergency call being placed. Officers administer Naloxone in an effort to revive them.
Shortly thereafter the victim began to breathe again on their own and ultimately was able to communicate with Officers about what occurred. American Medical Response took over care of the subject who was later transported to Cottage Hospital for further treatment. We want to commend the quick response and good thinking of the SBPD Officers, City Fire/Rescue and AMR Medics to ensure another life within the community was saved. Because of a collaborative effort by the local entities mentioned above, Officers are continually able to help keep the community and it population safe. We thank all those involved this program and in yesterday’s call for service.
Awesome Job! Hopefully the young person will seek help now.
Is this another instance when armed police response could be replaced by other responders? In this case it seems like the paramedics arrived shortly after the police and were there when the Narcan was administered. I wonder how cops feel about acting as paramedics?
Thank you SBPD!
Thank you SBPD!
What makes you think it was a young person and not a long-time addict with a habit to support?
Young person because the article stated the victim’s age. 32 years old.
Hopefully they will choose help and not keep using… sadly addiction isn’t fixed just because someone overdoses.
Not all addicts are criminals.