As the opioid epidemic affects Iowans, local law enforcement are taking a step to help save the lives of those overdosing on addictive painkillers.

Prelude Behavioral Services has been training the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Washington Police Department on how to use Narcan, or naloxone, a nasal spray that can treat narcotic overdoses in an emergency situation. This is part of a state-targeted response grant, which Prelude Nurse Manager Abby Heller says can be a preventative measure against the opioid epidemic in Iowa, “Even though we’re not as affected by the opioid crisis now we could be and it’s happening now. Maybe in smaller numbers than our midwest neighbors like Illinois, but it is happening and we’re out here to try to save lives.”

Sheriff Jared Schneider explains how naloxone can be effective for Washington County, “We’re a very rural community and sometimes it’s the time it takes us to get to that call too that’s going to be very important in some of those situations. So not only how fast we can respond but how fast does the ambulance get there, does the QRS members get there that’s going to be a big factor in how the success is with the use of our Narcan.”

Schneider points out that overdoses can be both purposeful and accidental, and with drugs both illegal and prescription. Prelude plans to get naloxone to local law enforcement by the end of April.