Police: Narcan saves an overdosed victim for the sixth time in a week – News – Ocala.com

A 42-year-old man found overdosed was revived by city police officers who gave him three doses of Narcan late Friday night.

With police officials having issued Narcan, a nasal form of naloxone used to treat suspected opioid overdoses, officers have been rescuing scores of people discovered passed out in vehicles, residents and motels. Friday’s Narcan use to save someone was the sixth in a week within the city limits.

The latest incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. when they were called to the Southland Motel, Room No. 1 at 1260 E. Silver Springs Blvd., where a man was found unconscious in the bathroom.

Unable to wake the victim, Officers Haley Shaw and Robert Prather, along with Sgt. Casey Eades, each took turns administering a dose each of Narcan to the man.

Once officers were able to revive him, he was transported to Florida Hospital Ocala and placed under a Marchman Act. The act allows authorities to initiate protective custody on individuals considered a danger to themselves.

From their investigation, police officials found an empty syringe and a wet cotton ball on a Gatorade lid. The items tested positive for fentanyl, officers said.

In recent weeks, police said fentanyl has been found in every type of drug in Marion County this year. They warn that no drug is safe since users have no way of knowing whether or not the drug they are taking contains fentanyl.

According to the CDC, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever approved for treating severe pain and is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

Police said since Dec. 1, there have been 34 overdoses in Ocala with eight deaths and 13 Narcan saves by officers. For the year, the numbers are 182 overdoses, with 27 deaths and 46 Narcan saves. In 2017, 16 people died among 78 overdoses.

Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham said dealers who provide drugs that kill people will be prosecuted for murder.

Addicts do have some resources to help them get clean. City and police officials have an amnesty program; if addicts want help, they can go to the police department and be transported to a treatment center by an officer. So far, 37 people have accepted the offer.

Recently, to assist with the addiction and overdoses in the area, The Centers has announced plans to increase the size of its detox unit from six beds to 15.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.