Smithfield Police Save First Overdose Victim, 34

SMITHFIELD, RI — Last summer, police Chief Richard St. Sauveur announced a new policy for the patrol officers. In an effort to save opioid epidemic victims, the police would start carrying Narcan nasal spray, he said. All the patrol officers on all three shifts were also trained in administering the spray. Early Thursday morning, the effort paid off. Officers saved a 34-year-old man who had overdosed.

Patrol Ofcs. Domenic Martone and Thomas DeCristofaro took the call and went to the home. The man was reported unresponsive. But the officers used their Narcan and also gave the man cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They were able to revive him.

He is the first person Smithfield officers have saved from an overdose due to the new policy, the police department said.

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