For the second time in as many weeks, Seattle police officers have used a life-saving medication to stop a potentially fatal overdose.
Around 2:30 PM Wednesday, East Precinct bike officers Chris Myers and Drew Fowler were patrol near Broadway and East Pike Street when they spotted a 33-year-old man sprawled on the ground in a doorway.
As officers Meyers and Fowler approached the man, they noticed he was foaming at the mouth and convulsing. The man’s eyes were wide open, but he was unresponsive to officers and did not appear to be breathing.
A witness at the scene told police the man had taken a pill a short time earlier so Officer Myers, believing the man was suffering from an opioid overdose, administered a dose of Naloxone. Moments after receiving the drug, the 33-year-old immediately rolled over and regained consciousness.
Seattle Fire Department medics arrived at the scene but the man declined further treatment and walked away under his own power.
This incident will become part of the University of Washington‘s ongoing study into SPD’s use of Narcan/Naloxone.
As a reminder, Washington law provides immunity from criminal drug possession charges for anyone seeking medical aid for themselves or someone else experiencing an overdose.