SMYRNA, DELAWARE (12/25/2015) Smyrna police officers saved the life of a heroin overdose victim on Christmas Day.
When officers arrived about 12:20 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of N. Union St., the 24-year-old victim “was clearly suffering from an overdose,” said Cpl. Brian M. Donner, a police spokesman.
“This victim had shallow breathing, a weak pulse and was unconscious. Officers were also able to determine that this victim had recently ingested heroin intravenously.”
An officer trained in the use of nalaxone to reverse the effects of opiate-induced overdoses administered the drug to the victim, Donner said.
Within a minute, Donner said, the victim regained consciousness and began breathing normally. He was able to walk and talk and got into an ambulance on his own power. The man was taken to the Smyrna Emergency Room for further treatment.