Heroin Overdose Antidote Naloxone Deployed over 50 Times Since June in Monmouth County

The heroin overdose antidote naloxone has been deployed 50 times by law enforcement officers in Monmouth County since it was first made available on June 5, but not everyone lives to benefit from this live-saving drug as the death toll for those who received the drug but died has risen to five, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

“We are saving lives, but this is not a cure-all for the horrors of opiates and heroin addiction. Naloxone can gain an addict a second chance, but without treatment this addiction is nothing more than playing Russian roulette with your life and the lives of the people around you,” warned Gramiccioni.

The first deployment of naloxone occurred on June 5, 2014, in Ocean Township, less than four hours after the Monmouth County Police Chief’s Association announced the deployment of the overdose antidote. The fiftieth deployment took place Thursday evening around 7:40 p.m. when police were able to revive a 29-year-old man who appeared to be overdosing on heroin.

“This man is lucky to be alive and hopefully he will get the treatment he needs to overcome a potentially deadly addiction,” said Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Marc C. LeMieux.

Since deploying the overdose antidote on June 5, naloxone has been deployed on 50 occasions by law enforcement officers across Monmouth County reversing the effects of the heroin overdose for 45 people ranging in age from 15 to 58. Since naloxone was first deployed, police officers have had a hand in saving the lives of 11 females and 34 males using the overdose antidote. Five men could not have the effects of their overdoses reversed and died. They range in age from 20-50 years old, and are from Bradley Beach, Howell, Oceanport, Middletown and Wall Township.

Middletown Township is leading the way with 8 deployments resulting in 7 overdose reversals, followed closely by Belmar and Keansburg each with six reversals.

Two naloxone deployments were made on August 3 for juveniles overdosing on suspected heroin – a 15-year-old Middletown girl and a 16-year Colts Neck girl. Both girls had their overdoses reversed. The oldest person to have a heroin overdose reversed was a 58-year-old Eatontown man who was first administered the overdose antidote on July 18 and received a second utilization on September 3. He is the only known two-time recipient of naloxone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact Monmouth County Office of Addiction Services at: 732-431-6451.

To read more about Naloxone (Narcan) in Monmouth County, go to:

http://patch.com/new-jersey/manalapan/narcan-saves-lives-cannot-rescue-all-overdoses#.VCBX3fldURc