PSP to Carry Naloxone
Harrisburg – The Wolf Administration today announced that the Pennsylvania State Police would begin carrying the life-saving opioid overdose reversal antidote, naloxone. Naloxone, also known by the brand name “Narcan” is a prescription medicine that rapidly reverses heroin and other opioid overdoses. Heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more people than fatal motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, about 2,400 Pennsylvanians died from a drug overdose. “Pennsylvanians are dying every day from drug overdose, so it is critical to have naloxone in the hands of our state police and first responders who may be first on the scene of an overdose situation,” said the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Acting Secretary Gary Tennis. “We are grateful for the donations and support that we have received from the health insurance community to ensure we have naloxone available statewide. I thank them for their support which is a first step...