The Lehigh County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office started training deputies in the administration of naloxone (Narcan), a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdoses, May 3.

Almost all Lehigh County police departments have been trained in this life-saving measure.

“My office is committed to being a part of law enforcement’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic which is plaguing this country and causing an increasing number of deaths in Lehigh County,” Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna said.

“Our county government buildings are visited by hundreds of people every day,” Hanna said. “They are a microcosm of our society and we would be naive to think that an opioid overdose episode could not occur in this setting.”

Training is expected to be completed within several weeks.

Naloxone kits will be placed in locations in county facilities.