Security officers to be equipped with naloxone to combat drug overdoses

Around 55 WVU Medicine Security Department officers are being trained to use naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opiate and opioid drug overdoses.

Five officers have already been trained and around 50 more are scheduled to take part in an hour-long session at the WVU School of Medicine’s WV STEPS program (West Virginia Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety) in Health Sciences.

The move is part of a trend as local and state law enforcement officers, first responders, and others look to combat the opioid epidemic prevalence throughout West Virginia.

Security joins local law enforcement officers, who have received ongoing training since 2015. The Morgantown Police Department uses naloxone “at least once a week,” Dan Harris, manager of Security, said.

Harris said administrators at WVU Medicine have supported the training.

“It’s all about saving a life,” he said. “We’re elated to have this opportunity. We hope we don’t have to use it, but if we have to, we know we will be prepared.”