The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
On 06-23-2022 at approximately 7:00 A.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to reports of a possible adult male overdosed in the 600 block of Pinoleville Drive in Ukiah, California.
Emergency Medical Personnel requested law enforcement respond first to secure the scene as it was reported to them that the male may be violent.
Upon arrival, Deputies attempted to contact the male, who was reportedly inside his residence. The Deputies knocked on multiple locked doors and announced their presence for several minutes, with no response. A short time later, a male subject was seen approaching the front door.
Deputies observed the subject fall near the door as he attempted to open the door. Deputies observed the male fall backward at which time he stopped moving or responding to Deputies. Fearing for the male’s safety, Deputies determined it necessary to force the locked door open so they could render emergency aid.
Upon entry, Deputies observed the male was unresponsive. Deputies assessed the male and located a faint pulse.
Deputies determined the male was barely breathing and his eyes were non-responsive. The male was also bleeding from superficial wounds on his face and neck. Based on their assessment, Deputies feared the male was suffering from a potentially fatal opioid overdose.
A Deputy immediately administered one 4mg dose of Narcan to the male and was met with negative results.
Shortly thereafter, the Deputy administered a second 4mg dose of Narcan and the male became responsive and started breathing. Medical personnel arrived a short time later and took over care of the male, ultimately transporting him to a nearby hospital for further care.
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 (14) fourteen separate situations wherein Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeants/Deputies have administered NARCAN and saved the lives of (14) fourteen 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 have been 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.
