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Ocean County Police Departments To Carry Heroin Overdose Antidote

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Police in all 33 towns in Ocean County early next year will begin carrying an antidote that can revive people who overdose on heroin.

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, gives emergency responders time to revive victims, even those who have stopped breathing. The antidote can be used with any drug with opioids, including prescription painkillers.

Emergency Training and Consulting medical director Dr. Kenneth Lavelle told police chiefs on Tuesday the nasal inhalant form of the drug costs about $25. He said it should take about 90 days to train all officers according to the Asbury Park Press.

Lavelle says officers would administer it just like a nasal spray.

He said it makes sense for police to administer the antidote since they're the first to respond to a 911 call.

There have been 102 deaths associated with drug overdoses in the county this year.

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