All Bloomfield Hills officers to carry Narcan

All Bloomfield Hills public safety officers will now be carrying the lifesaving drug Narcan to assist both members of the public and law enforcement officers that may be exposed to hazardous narcotics.

Bloomfield Hills Director of Public Safety Noel Clason said the drug, which is used to treat victims of opioid overdoses and first responders who may become exposed to drugs, was previously carried only by the medical first responder vehicle and the city's ambulance company. However, in response to the opiate epidemic plaguing the nation and first responders, all officers in Bloomfield Hills have been issued Narcan, including Clason and the department's detective.

"This dose is stronger than what was in use, and is now deployable within seconds rather than minutes, potentially saving a victim or officer's life," Clason said in a monthly department report to the city commission. "Officers utilize this tool for overdoses and/or personal exposure to fentanyl, carfentanil or other dangerous synthetic opioids."

The drug was provided free of charge to the department after training on the use and restrictions.