Officers working downtown last night responded to an alley in the 1400 block of 3rd Avenue shortly after 12:30 am for a report of a woman attempting CPR on an unconscious male. The woman told officers she had just watched her male friend inject narcotics from a needle he was holding and then go unconscious. Officers Dustin Joyce and Joseph Belfiore quickly determined that the man had no pulse. They immediately began chest compressions as they administered nasal Naloxone to the man. After several minutes the man began breathing again. Seattle Fire medics arrived and transported the man to the hospital for further treatment.
This incident marks the 15th time officers have successfully used Naloxone since Seattle police began carrying it in mid-March. The case will become part of the ongoing study conducted by the University of Washington into SPD’s use of Naloxone for a possible department-wide deployment.
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.