The Smith County Sheriff Office is the latest area in the Upper Cumberland to arm its law enforcement with Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.
Sheriff Steve Hopper recently approved Overdose Reversal Training and carrying of Naloxone. Deputies and Correctional Officers have now received this potential life saving training . They are now more fully equipped to recognize signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and how to administer the emergency medication Naloxone.
Overdose continues to claim lives all across the State of Tennessee. Naloxone when administered in time can reverse the effects of opioids and restore breathing until EMS arrives. Sheriff Hopper is not excited about the public health crisis of overdose but he is excited to add another tool in their arsenal to stop opioid overdose deaths in Smith County. Suzanne Angel, RN and Justin Cantrell, CPRS who are the TN Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists for Region 3N and are based out of the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition provided this free State Certified Training. The organization is trained and funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
