Police officers are often the first on scene when a person is suffering from a life threathening overdose — frequently arriving minutes before paramedics. In those crucial moments, access to Narcan can mean the difference between life and death.

Overdose scenes are not always calm or safe. They can be volatile, unpredictable environments involving panicked bystanders, active drug use, or potential violence. For safety reasons, the fire department and paramedics sometimes elect to stage nearby and wait until police officers secure the area before entering. This makes it even more critical that officers have Narcan readily available — so they can immediately begin lifesaving measures the moment they arrive.

Since beginning the Narcan program, MPA and MPA Charities have distributed doses directly to officers, ensuring they have immediate access to this vital medication. The results have been powerful:

Dozens of lives have been saved thanks to the quick actions of Mesquite Police Officers administering Narcan  before medical help arrives.

These success stories underscore how vital it is for every officer to have this tool readily available. The MPA believes no officer should be left without the means to save a life when seconds count.