BULLHEAD CITY–The Bullhead City Police Department is among many other law enforcement agencies to implement a Narcan program to help combat the rise in opioid overdoses.

Narcan, a brand-name version of the opioid-reversing drug naloxone, is known to save the lives of addicts who overdose. Since police officers are often the first people to respond to a drug-related incident, they may be able to take life-saving action before medical aid arrives.

Bullhead City Police officers have received training to administer the drug via a nasal spray. In addition to improving public safety, Narcan is another tool to improve officer safety. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, can be inhaled if it is airborne and can be absorbed through the skin. If an officer comes into accidental contact with heroin or Fentanyl, Narcan can also save the lives of police personnel.

Fentanyl is about 40 to 50 times stronger than heroin and even if small amounts were ingested or absorbed, it can be lethal.