PRINCETON, W.Va. (AP) - A federal grant will enable state troopers in three southern West Virginia counties to carry a fast-acting drug overdose antidote.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will train state police to administer naloxone to overdose victims in McDowell, Mercer and Wyoming counties.
Goodwin says the nonprofit group Community Connections will administer the pilot program.
Emergency medical workers have been using naloxone - also known by the brand name Narcan - for decades to treat patients. The Legislature passed a bill this year broadening who can administer the drug. It can quickly return breathing to people suffering from overdoses on prescription pills or heroin.
Other resources include the state hotline at 1-844-HELP4WV (1-800-435-7498), and The Call WV app, which connects people with addiction treatment options based on the app user's location, and is available for download on Apple and Android smartphones and at makethecallwv.com.