The Salisbury Township Police Department may participate in a heroin-overdose antidote program.

Salisbury Township Police Sgt. Donald SaboJr. made a presentation about the program at the township Board of Commissioners’ workshop following the regular Aug. 27 meeting.

After hearing the presentation, the commissioners, by consensus, agreed to place a vote on participating in the program on the 7 p.m. Sept. 10 meeting agenda.

The program is administered by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office.

The program would provide Naloxone to be carried in township police vehicles. The drug is administered to those believed to have sustained a heroin overdose.

“We are ready to execute this whenever you approve it,” Sabo said to commissioners.

There will be county training for officers, said Sabo. He said other municipalities in Lehigh County are participating.

“We chose this route [in order] that we would reverse the heroin and opiate overdoses,” Sabo said.

There have been about six deaths related to heroin overdoses in the township in the past two years, according to Sabo. There have been about 40 deaths related to heroin overdoses in Lehigh County 2011 through 2013, Sabo said.

The agenda vote would be to approve a memorandum of understanding between Salisbury Township and Lehigh County for the program. Salisbury Township Solicitor, Atty. John W. Ashley, has reviewed the memorandum.

Township officers would be trained in the use of the heroin antidote. Sabo, who is a paramedic, would administer the township portion of the program.

“This just gives us another tool in our toolbox,” Sabo said.

Commissioner Joanne Ackerman asked Sabo how officers can detect a heroin overdose.

“If you see pinpoint pupils, you know it’s heroin,” Sabo said. “If it’s a low or no breathing rate, it’s an opiate.”

In explaining the need for the program, Sabo said, “We have seen an increase in heroin in this area– arrests and overdoses.”

When asked by a reporter for The Press as to why there’s an increase in heroin overdoses, Sabo said it’s a matter of supply and demand; “The price is low and heroin is very strong right now.”