Palos Park Police Now Carry Heroin Overdose Antidote

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park police officers are now ready to save residents from potentially fatal heroin overdoses.

Palos Park officers have undergone training and are now carrying naloxone, a heroin overdose antidote that experts say could save many more lives if made more widely available.

When an officer encounters someone suffering from an opioid overdose they can administer naloxone and stay with the person until medics arrive.

“This is a momentous development in the battle against heroin addiction and will definitely help save lives,” said Police Commissioner Dan Polk.

As opiate overdoses have soared nationwide, more police departments are taking a hard look at equipping their police officers and other first responders with naloxone instead of waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Police are often the first to arrive at the scene, and experts say those early minutes can be the key to saving a life.

"It's a great tool to add to our arsenal and the bottom line we are there to protect and serve the public, to preserve life and property," said Police Chief Joe Miller.

Commissioner Sean M. Morrison 17th District Cook County was the catalyst behind this program and grant funding, according to the a release from the department.