Deputy uses anti-opioid drug to save overdose victim

MOSES LAKE — For the second time in a month the life of an overdose victim was saved thanks to a deputy administering Naloxone, an anti-opioid drug that reverses the effects of a drug overdose.

About 7:45 p.m. on Saturday responders were alerted to a possible drug overdose in the 8500 block of Dorothy Street Northwest in Moses Lake. A deputy arrived at the scene before emergency personnel and found a woman who was reportedly not breathing. The deputy began life-saving measures and administered a dose of Naloxone prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, according to the sheriff’s office.

EMS arrived at the scene and gave the woman oxygen and a second dose of Naloxone. She reportedly regained consciousness a couple of minutes later and was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment.

Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses from heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl. Deputies first received training on how to use Naloxone and were issued kits that contain the drug a month ago. Saturday’s administration of the drug was the second time it was used since deputies received training on it.

“Without question had this deputy not been equipped with Naloxone, this woman would not have survived. We thank him and take great pride in his skilled, quick thinking, as well as bravery displayed that night,” Sheriff Tom Jones said.