Schaumburg police officers begin carrying heroin overdose antidote

(SCHAUMBURG) Police officers in northwest suburban Schaumburg have begun carrying an antidote that could save the lives of people suffering heroin overdoses.

Patrol officers and officers working in schools are now carrying Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose, according to a statement issued by Schaumburg police Friday.

Officers have been trained to recognize the signs of an overdose and administer Narcan if they arrive at a scene before paramedics, police said.

“If the officers are able to save even one life, this will have been a great success,” Police Chief Jim Lamkin said in the statement.

The drug is being provided through the DuPage County Narcan Program, which was created in 2013 as a response to an increase in fatal heroin overdoses, police said. Officials estimate more than 30 lives have been saved across the country by police officers administering Narcan.