NJ Police Officer Recently Trained How To Use Narcan Saves 2 Overdose Victims In 5 Days

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Authorities say a central New Jersey police officer who recently learned how to use a drug that can help reverse heroin overdoses used it to save two lives in less than a week,

NJ.Com reports that Woodbridge Patrolman Christopher McClay first used Narcan on Jan. 21, about two hours after he had been trained to administer the drug. His actions helped save the life of a 25-year-old woman who had overdosed in a home.

Four days later, he helped save a man who had overdosed in the parking lot of a township business.

Police officials say all township patrol officers are being trained in the use of Narcan.

State authorities have said there were 741 heroin-related deaths in New Jersey in 2013, a 160 percent increase since 2010.

Earlier this month, Long Island's Suffolk County announced they would use Narcan to help battle the growing heroin and opiate problem.

Suffolk will roll out an awareness program that targets users in the Suffolk County Drug Court system, the probation system, users who are saved by Narcan and those in county jails.

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