Springs, Pueblo ahead of curve as Clinton calls for officers nationwide to carry medication to treat heroin overdoses

The Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina Sunday night touched on the heroin epidemic in this country. Candidates urged law enforcement agencies to get their hands on an antidote that saves lives of overdose victims.

“Lives are being lost and children are being orphaned,” frontrunner Hillary Clinton said. “Police officers must be equipped with the anecdote to a heroin overdose known as Narcan. They should be able to administer so should firefighters and others.”

It’s a national conversation and here in the southern Colorado police and fire doing their part to answer the call.

Firefighters in the Springs say they’ve had Narcan at their disposal for more than 30 years. According to the CSFD, firefighters and paramedics responded to 109 heroin overdoses in 2015.

Both Colorado Springs and Pueblo police officers carry the anecdote on the streets. “For us it’s a benefit,” CSPD Lt. Catherine Buckley said. “A benefit to the communities, to the families, to the victims. It’s something we can carry, it’s something we can administer and it will reduce those overdoses.”

El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark argues it’s an issue that goes beyond politics.

“This is really a public safety issue,” Clark said. “It transcends any political party. It’s really a bipartisan effort to save lives.”

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is currently training its deputies to use the potentially lifesaving medicine.