Naloxone (Administration of Naloxone)

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures governing the use of Narcan Nasal Spray administered by officers of the UW-Platteville Police Department. The objective of administering Naloxone, specifically, Narcan® Nasal Spray 4mg, is to treat opioid overdoses and minimize overdose deaths caused by opioids.

Policy: Naloxone (Administration of Naloxone)

Author: Chief Joesph Hallman

WILEAG Standard: 6.1.13

Issue Date:  July 19, 2017

Reviewed Date: March 20, 2026

Revised Date: March 20, 2026

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures governing the use of Narcan Nasal Spray administered by officers of the UW-Platteville Police Department. The objective of administering Naloxone, specifically, Narcan® Nasal Spray 4mg, is to treat opioid overdoses and minimize overdose deaths caused by opioids.

Policy:

It is the policy of the UW-Platteville Police Department for trained officers to administer Naloxone to persons suffering from opioid overdoses at the earliest possible time in an effort to reduce permanent physical impairment or death.  This policy is promulgated pursuant to Wis. Stat. §256.01 through Wis. Stat. §256.40.

Definitions:

1. Opiate-related drug overdose: means a condition including extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or the ceasing of respiratory or circulatory function resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid, or another substance with which an opioid was combined.
2. Naloxone:  is an opioid antagonist that can be used to counter the effects of opiate overdose. Specifically, it can displace opioids from the receptors in the brain that control the central nervous system and respiratory system.  It is marked under various trademarks including Narcan®.  The University Police Department will train with and carry the Narcan Nasal Spray.

Procedures:

1. Wis. Stat. §256.40(3)
   1. The UW-Platteville Police Department (UWPPD) has an agreement with the Narcan Direct Law Enforcement Program, through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for its supply and resupply of Narcan units. (6.1.13)
   2. Any trained Police Officers who reasonably believe another person to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose, and administer naloxone to that person shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for any outcomes resulting from the administration of the opioid antagonist to that person, per Wis. Stat. §256.40(3)(b).
2. Field Use of Narcan® Nasal Spray
   1. When a police officer has arrived at the scene of a medical emergency prior to the arrival of EMS, and has made a determination that the patient is suffering from an opiate overdose, the responding officer shall administer the Narcan® Nasal Spray as prescribed in training.  The following steps should be taken:                           
      1. Officers should conduct a medical assessment of the patient as prescribed during training, utilizing the SCOREME response
         1. Stimulate: Shout, shake, rub chest with knuckles.
         2. Call EMS: State what you see; i.e. “The person is unconscious and not breathing.” State your location.
         3. Observe for Breathing: Observe patient for at least 5 seconds, but no more than 10 seconds, looking for normal breathing and chest rise.
         4. Rescue CPR: If the individual is not breathing, perform chest compressions and rescue breaths in accordance with American Heart Association guidelines.
         5. Evaluate: If the person has responded/begun breathing, place in the recovery position; if not, proceed to next step.
         6. Mucosal-Nasal Spray:
            1. Peel back the package to remove the device.
            2. Hold the device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and 2 fingers on the nozzle
            3. Place and hold the tip of the nozzle in either nostril until your fingers touch the bottom of the patient’s nose.
            4. Press the plunger firmly to release the dose into the patient’s nose.
         7. Evaluate Again: If there is no change in responsiveness and breathing, continue rescue breathing for 3-5 minutes. If still no change, administer second dose of the Narcan® Nasal Spray.
      2. Officers shall also take into account statements from witnesses regarding drug use and evidence of drug use observed at the scene.
      3. Officers should be aware that a rapid reversal of an opiate overdose may cause projectile vomiting by the patient and/or violent behavior.
      4. The patient should continue to be observed and treated as the situation dictates.
      5. The treating officer shall inform incoming/arriving EMS about the administration of Narcan® Nasal Spray, the approximate dosage, and the number of doses administered.  The officer should also inform EMS about condition of the patient, and shall not relinquish care of the patient until relieved by a person with a higher level of medical training.  A patient receiving a Narcan® Nasal Spray dosage shall be transported to a medical care facility for advanced treatment.  Patients refusing transport shall be placed into protective custody and transported by EMS to Southwest Health for medical care and clearance, pursuant to Wisc. Stat. §51.15 until a complete examination can be conducted by a medical physician.
3. Reporting Narcan® Nasal Spray Use
   1. Officers administering the Narcan® Nasal Spray application shall complete an Incident Report documenting the event, prior to the end of shift.
4.  Storage, Maintenance, and Replacement
   1. Narcan kits (black soft-shelled cases with a red cross and the words “Naloxone” printed in the center of the cross) should be inspected at the start of each shift and should contain:
      1. 1- two pack of Narcan Nasal Spray
      2. Nitrile Gloves (various sizes)
      3. 1 Respirator
   2. Narcan kits shall be stored in each patrol squad, preferably in the passenger seat squad bag. 
   3. Replacement Narcan® Nasal Spray units are stored in the Chief or his/her designee’s locked storage cabinet.  In the event that an officer needs a replacement, he/she should advise the Chief or his/her designee as soon as possible.
   4. Members shall notify the Chief or his/her designee of any damaged Narcan® Nasal Spray containers or that are rendered unusable.  The Chief or his/her designee can properly dispose of damaged containers in hazardous materials containers, which can be found in ambulances, medical facilities, or placed in a cardboard box and delivered to the Risk Management Director.
   5. The Chief or his/her designee will work directly with the Narcan Direct to obtain more Narcan® Nasal Spray Units.  A survey is sent by Narcan Direct will be completed each month by the Chief or his/her designee.
5. Training
   1. UWPPD has chosen the Wisconsin Department of Justice ~ Training & Standards “E-Learning-Narcan Training for Law Enforcement” online training module, as its training resource, to safely and properly administer Narcan® Nasal Spray to individuals who are undergoing or are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose for new and current police officers.
      1. The initial training of new Police Officers will be completed within the first phase of the Field Training Program.
      2. Every year, during the summer update/recertification process, all police officers will be assigned and expected to complete the training above as a refresher.