Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies will now be carrying the life-saving drug Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversing drug used to save the lives of persons experiencing respiratory failure due to opioid overdose.

The Naloxone product chosen by Allegan County is the brand name Evzio from Kaleo Pharmaceuticals. Enough units to equip the entire patrol, detective and administrative divisions were obtained via a grant from Kaleo. Evzio is an intramuscular, auto injectable device that safely and effectively delivers the life-saving substance when administered.

The Sheriff’s office was able to partner with the Allegan County Health Department to ensure proper policy on possession, use, storage and inventory were in place. Three Health Department nurses were trained as trainers to facilitate on-going training needs.

The Grand Rapids Red Project came to Allegan and Saugatuck to provide an all inclusive training. Not only did Deputies receive necessary training on Naloxone and administering it, they also received in-depth information about the ever growing opioid crisis and many of its dynamics.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts partnered with the Sheriff’s office to bring this training to Saugatuck by providing the venue for training, an example of the crucial community partnerships that are necessary for effective policing.

Undersheriff Mike Larsen attended the training and said, “This was a collaborative effort with our County partners and our Community partners to bring this life saving tool to the Allegan County Sheriff’s office and ultimately the citizens of Allegan County.  The product and the training that our deputies received will save lives in Allegan County.”