Toccoa Police, Fire to Carry Anti-opiod Drug

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

The Toccoa Police And Fire Departments will soon be carrying a drug that can help save someone’s life if they are overdosing on opioids.

Last week, Toccoa City Commissioners unanimously approved a second reading of a resolution that allows toccoa police and firefighters to administer a drug called, Naxalone.

Naloxone is a drug that could help save the life of someone who has overdosed on opioids like heroin and morphine by temporarily blocking their effects.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse says this is the final reading of that resolution in order for it to take effect.

“This resolution would state that the city commission finds it in the public interest to authorize the Toccoa Police Department and Fire Department to use and have available (naloxone) under approved guidelines and subject to undergoing comprehensive and approved training,” said Morse.

Under the proposal, Toccoa would receive a grant that would purchase naloxone and provide training for police and fire on how to properly administer the drug.

The grant is through an effort called Project DAN, which stands for Deaths Avoided By Naloxone, and is administered by the Medical Association Of Georgia.

Project DAN Training Coordinator Ruben Black said agencies including the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Police Department, And Habersham County Sheriff’s Office are already equipping their officers with the drug.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said the abundance of opioid drugs within a community creates the opportunity for their misuse and Toccoa, as a community, should be prepared in case an incident were to occur.

Under the grant, each police officer and Toccoa fire truck will be equipped with one dose of the drug.