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St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office equipped with anti-overdose drug

Posted at 4:15 AM, Aug 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-22 05:50:31-04

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office is equipping their deputies with the anti-overdose drug Naloxone.

Justin Kunzelman always wonders that a certain antidote had been available if many of his family and friends would still be alive.

Kunzelman, a recovering addict himself, knows the need for Naloxone, an anti-overdose drug, has never been greater.

"Overdose rates are increasing," says Kunzelman.

It's the reason he personally trains people to administer the drug, but he also wants law enforcement to be equipped as well.

 

"Bring somebody back from the brink of death. You could relate it to a drug that could reverse a gunshot wound to the heart," says Kunzelman.

On Friday, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office announced they will add the drug to their arsenal. Since June 1, deputies have received more than 100 overdose related calls.

They join other departments such as Martin County, Stuart police and Delray Beach police using the drug.

"Everybody should have this," says Kunzelman.

He believes all agencies should be equipped and ready.

"Eventually they'll be placed in a position where they have no choice. They'll have to do it sooner or later," said Kunzelman.