GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County Police are warning of an overdose spike. The police department said in a news release Monday the county had 41 overdose cases in the last 18 days.
The department is reminding people of Georgia’s 911 Medical Amnesty and Expanded Naloxone Access Law.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The law protects both the overdose victim and caller when requesting medical help during a suspected drug overdose. The law means the victim and caller will not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted.
The department is also reminding the community about Naloxone HCI, commonly known as NARCAN.
The nasal spray can reverse the effects of an overdose. NARCAN can work against overdoses of of heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methadone, hydrocodone, OxyContin, “roxys,” dilaudid, morphine, and codeine, according to the news release.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man with Atlanta ties featured on ‘90 Day Fiancé’ wanted by U.S. Marshals for murder
- Police searching for bank robber who dressed as old woman in McDonough
- Popular metro Atlanta barbecue restaurant vandalized along with other businesses
NARCAN does not work to reverse overdoses of methamphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, or bath salts.
Police recommend using NARCAN when in doubt about what someone took to overdose.
Free NARCAN training sponsored by GNR Public Health and Georgia Overdose Prevention is held by Navigate Recovery at 52 Gwinnett Drive, Suite A in Lawrenceville on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. It is available to friends and family members of opioid users, as well as users themselves, according the Navigate Recovery website. You can sign up here.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Those who complete the classes will receive a free Nasal Spray Kit. If you have any questions or want more information regarding the training, contact 678-743-1808 ext. 115, or email events@navigaterecovery.org.
Police say they continue to investigate and apprehend people responsible for the sale and possession of illegal drugs.
RELATED:
This browser does not support the video element.