A Tampa man who overdosed twice in 24 hours was saved by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies through the use of Narcan.
At 10:44 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, deputies responded to a home on the 8000 block of Frostwood Court in Tampa in reference to a person down call for service. According to relatives at the home, the adult male in his 20s had an extensive history of opioid abuse and had possibly overdosed on an unknown drug in his bedroom. A deputy found the man unresponsive with a rapidly declining pulse. The deputy administered his HCSO-issued Narcan on the individual and performed CPR until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) arrived. The man slowly began to regain consciousness and was transported to Advent Health Carrollwood by EMS.
At 4:52 a.m. the following morning, August 2, deputies were called back to the same home. They located the same adult male lying unresponsive in his bedroom. One deputy administered Narcan as another performed CPR. The man began breathing on his own again and was ale to stand up and walk as HCFR arrived on scene. According to relatives, they had just brought the man home from the hospital after the previous overdose.
Deputies completed a Marchman Act on the individual and he was transported to a treatment facility.
“Our quick-thinking deputies allowed this individual to receive not just a second chance at life, but a third,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister, who made the decision to equip every patrol deputy with Narcan last December. “While we are thankful that yet another family is not grieving the loss of a loved one due to an opioid overdose today, we as a community must take steps to break the cycle of addiction and help those who are caught up in this deadly epidemic.”
On Monday, August 3, Sheriff Chronister released a public service announcement (PSA) reminding residents of the dangerous of opioid abuse and steps they can take to protect themselves and their families.
“It’s time to make a change. Let’s work together to stop this disease today, because one pill or one hit is not worth your life,” said Sheriff Chronister in the video message shared to social media.
The PSA can be viewed on the HCSO Sheriff YouTube page.
