Deputies Revive Suicidal Fort Bragg Woman Using Narcan

The following is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On 03-06-2022 at approximately 4:20 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an adult female suffering from a mental health crisis at a rural residence north of Fort Bragg, California. 

Deputies were advised the adult female had attempted to commit suicide by a cutting instrument.

Deputies responded to the location along with a California State Parks peace officer.  While traveling toward the residence, Deputies were flagged down by a family member of the adult female who had begun to drive her toward Fort Bragg for immediate medical treatment. 

Deputies observed the adult female, with superficial cutting injuries, was beginning to loose consciousness while in the passenger seat of the vehicle. 

While treating the adult female, her condition deteriorated to the point where she become unresponsive.  Deputies were informed that she may have intentionally ingested prescription medications in an attempt to overdose. 

The adult female was removed from the vehicle and Deputies administered two dosage units of Narcan and she appeared to respond to the antidote. 

Shortly thereafter, an ambulance arrived and provided further treatment to the adult female.  The adult female was subsequently transported to a local hospital from further medical treatment and mental health assessment.

In April 2019 the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) began to issue NARCAN® (Naloxone HCI) nasal spray dosage units to its employees as part of their assigned personal protective equipment.  MCSO’s goal is in protecting the public and officers from opioid overdoses. Access to naloxone is now considered vital in the U.S. The Center for Disease Control.  At that time, the California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard reported Mendocino County ranking, per capita, 3rd in all opioid overdose deaths. (https://discovery.cdph.ca.gov/CDIC/ODdash/).  Refer to dashboard for current updated ranking information.  Narcan nasal spray units are widely known to reverse opioid overdose situations in adults and children. Each nasal spray device contains a four milligram dose, according to the manufacturer.  Naloxone Hydrochloride, more commonly known by the brand name NARCAN®, blocks the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose (both medications and narcotics) including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness.
 
The antidote can reverse the effects of an overdose for up to an hour, but anyone who administers the overdose reversal medication in a non-medical setting is advised to seek emergency medical help right away. The spray units can also be used by Public Safety Professionals who are unknowingly or accidentally exposed to potentially fatal amounts of fentanyl from skin absorption or inhalation.
 
The issuance of the Narcan nasal units, thus far, have been to employees assigned to the Field Services Division and the Mendocino County Jail medical staff.  Employees are required to attend user training prior to being issued the medication.

Sheriff Matthew C. Kendall would like to thank Mendocino County HHSA Public Health for providing the Narcan nasal units to the Sheriff’s Office free of charge as part of the Free Narcan Grant from the California Department of Public Health.

Since the April 2019 issuance, there have now been (10) ten separate situations wherein Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeants/Deputies have administered NARCAN and saved the lives of (10) ten people in need of the life saving antidote medication.

In October 2021 the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a grant from the California Naloxone Distribution Project through the Department of Health Care Services to help maintain an inventory of the live saving antidote. 

The 192 dosage units will be distributed to the Field Services Division and Corrections Division as current inventories from Mendocino County HHSA Public Health are being exhausted.

Sheriff Matthew C. Kendall would like to thank the California Naloxone Distribution Project through the Department of Health Care Services for awarding the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office with the Naloxone grant to better help protect his employees and the public.

Editors Note:

Many aspects of the Emerald Triangle’s rural lifestyle lend themselves to suicide risk factors. Those risk factors, as described by the Center for Disease Control, include barriers to health care, social isolation, and high rates of adverse childhood experiences, 

Please remember, if you or a loved one are suffering from mental distress there are many resources that can be accessed including:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264, info@nami.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): (800) 662-4357
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): (866) 615-6464
• Mental Health America Hotline: Text MHA to 741741
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741

In efforts to educate the public regarding suicide prevention, the following infographic from the National Institute of Mental Health provides guidance in warning signs associated with suicide:

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