Panama City, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay) is donating 30 doses of Naloxone nasal spray (NARCAN) to the Panama City Police Department (PCPD). PCPD, like many other agencies locally and around the State, is administering NARCAN on a regular basis during medical emergency calls. These additional doses will help them fill the need within the community and protect officers should they come in contact with fentanyl which can be deadly even in amounts the size of your fingertip.

“Chief Scott Ervin called last Friday asking to discuss the opioid crisis and the need for additional NARCAN for his officers”, said Sandon S. Speedling, MHS, CPM, CPH, DOH-Bay Administrator and Health Officer. “DOH-Bay was able to secure 30 doses for PCPD and deliver those Wednesday. We are proud of the working relationship we have with PCPD and we hope that it continues to grow.”

“QUOTE FROM CHIEF ERVIN”

DOH-Bay is also working to help PCPD apply for the Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support (HEROS) program through the Florida Department of Health (DOH). DOH provides agencies with free NARCAN to licensed emergency responders including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians or paramedics, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Bay County Emergency Medical Services currently participate in the HEROS program. PCPD meets the reporting requirement by entering information on overdose responses into the OD Mapping system.

DOH-Bay is an active member of the newly formed Bay County Overdose Task Force, Bay County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, and Bay Council on Drugs & Alcohol (BCODA). DOH-Bay prioritizes mental health and substance use initiatives through our Community Health Improvement Plan. We also participate in many other groups and meetings to support mental health and substance use in Bay County.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov .