By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The dramatic increase in the use of heroin and in some cases, overdoses, locally and throughout the country, has prompted one local legislator to ask if the Marlborough Police Department should start carrying a powerful medication which can act as an antidote.
Councilor-at-large Mark Oram asked his fellow councilors at the Feb. 24 City Council meeting to consider undertaking “a review of first responders being equipped with Naloxone to assist in life saving measures related to heroin overdoses.”
Naloxone is also commonly known as Narcan, Nalone, and Narcanti. Naloxone, which is given intravenously, is used to prevent or reverse the effects of opiate (narcotic) overdose. Some lawmakers across the country have authorized not only emergency personnel to carry the drug but police officers as well.
In making a plea to the City Council Oram said, “Heroin overdose is everywhere and at the present time only paramedics carry Narcan. Some policemen are beginning to carry it with them but I feel we should get all our police officers to carry it so they can help right away as needed.”
Admitting that it would be a financial expense to provide “Narcan” or its equivalent to the police department, Oran said hopefully the city could apply for grant money to help finance the program. Councilors voted unanimously to refer the proposal to the Human Services committee for study.
In other business, councilors referred to the Personnel Committee several appointments to the Conservation Commission made by Mayor Arthur Vigeant. They include:? Alan White, Lawrence Roy, Ward 6 City Councilor Edward Clancy, John Skarin, David Williams, and Dennis Demers. They will appear before the committee for interviewing and recommendation for approval.
