Why doesn't the mayor want police officers to carry Narcan?

[Anonymous]

Suppose the officers have an accidental exposure while working?

[Anonymous]

Ask the FOP. They’re the ones opposed to it.

[Anonymous]

Lawsuits for having non-medical personnel administering drugs to people od’ing would be my guess.

They can pay out on a life insurance policy for a deal cop. What’s that, like $1,000,000 at most? At most.

On the other hand, a punitive damages award for improperly using narcan could run into the several millions.

[Anonymous]

DC is immune from punitive damages, at least for negligent supervision.

[Anonymous]

OP here
You can't OD on Narcan, or harm someone who isn't allergic to it; it would be given to someone who was in medical distress; even been given to sniffer-dogs who've OD'd

[Anonymous]

Narcan is completely safe. I had no idea the FOP was against it? Is it something they have to bargain, and they are saying no til they get what they want? Because it’s considered a best practice for police to carry and administer it.

There was federal grant money available for it too. It is expensive, so I can see that being an issue.

[Anonymous]

If I were an officer, I wouldn’t want the responsibility of having to administer a drug. If I did it wrong, if the person wa allergic, if the person had used too much of whatever they were od’ing for it to be effective, or whatever else, I’d be blamed for doing something wrong. That could be the end of m6 career. No pension, nothing, and possibly sued.

Cops aren’t doctors. Period.

[Anonymous]

I'm the backup trained person to use narcon in a public high school. There's nothing to it, it's like a nasal spray. And you can't do it wrong, or use it wrong, or use to much or to little and you can't harm someone if they weren't od'ing. There must be a reason the police don't want to use it, but I don't know what that is, but I assure you it has nothing to do with using narcon incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

Considering potential officer exposure to opiates, opposition to it is nuts. There was a cop somewhere (Ohio? Michigan?) a year or so ago who OD'd because he saw something white on his shirt after responding to some kind of incident and brushed it off, it was car-fentanyl powder. I believe he received Narcan and survived.

Not in DC, but -- they carry it where I live. 2017 was locally a high year for overdoses. Two local victims were teenage boys who spilled liquid fentanyl and died simply from skin contact.

[Anonymous]

I heard that all/most of the times EMS accompanies police and therefore it is unnecessary to train police to carry/use it since the paramedics are right there.

Also an additional expense to buy it and then train officers. Money they dont have.

[Anonymous]

I saw a video where a police leader in one of those places like Ohio was saying he won’t let his officers carry it because they get physically injured (evidently drug addicts aren’t the most respectful and gentle people, especially when they’re overdosing) and he didn’t want his officers exposed to that risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were an officer, I wouldn’t want the responsibility of having to administer a drug. If I did it wrong, if the person wa allergic, if the person had used too much of whatever they were od’ing for it to be effective, or whatever else, I’d be blamed for doing something wrong. That could be the end of m6 career. No pension, nothing, and possibly sued.

Cops aren’t doctors. Period.

It’s completely harmless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw a video where a police leader in one of those places like Ohio was saying he won’t let his officers carry it because they get physically injured (evidently drug addicts aren’t the most respectful and gentle people, especially when they’re overdosing) and he didn’t want his officers exposed to that risk.

He’s an ass. Police are exposed to danger all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were an officer, I wouldn’t want the responsibility of having to administer a drug. If I did it wrong, if the person wa allergic, if the person had used too much of whatever they were od’ing for it to be effective, or whatever else, I’d be blamed for doing something wrong. That could be the end of m6 career. No pension, nothing, and possibly sued.

Cops aren’t doctors. Period.

It’s completely harmless.

People addicted to and overdosing on opioids aren't harmless. They can be quite violent. I can see why someone wouldn't want to deal with that. You shouldn't be hurt for trying to save someone's life, especially someone who doesn't even value it themselves.

[Anonymous]

Here's hoping the Mayor of DC changes her mind. DC is definitely in the minority of cities/counties on this issue!