The Dallas County District Attorney may soon give the City of Dallas money to allow police officers to carry Narcan. The DA's office announced the grant Wednesday, but the City Council will need to vote to accept the money in a future meeting.
Last year, the city says Dallas Fire Rescue paramedics gave 1,925 doses of Narcan, but the city says police are often the first to arrive at overdose calls.
“We appreciate the District Attorney’s partnership and getting NARCAN into the hands of law enforcement who are often the first on the scene,” Dallas Police Assistant Chief Michael Igo wrote in a statement.
Igo says the money will pay for Narcan but also for education, outreach and testing equipment.
The DA's office is providing the money through the sale of seized assets.
In November, the Dallas City Council launched an "Opioid Strike Force" to bring together different agencies like police, fire and prosecutors but also Dallas ISD, Dallas College and the non-profit, Dallas Recovery Resource Council.
“The efforts resulting from the Opioid Strike Force should serve as a model for how to advance key initiatives on behalf of the people in our community: communication and collaboration to put resources where they are needed most,” City Councilwoman Paula Blackmon said.
The City of Dallas has also launched a bilingual fentanyl awareness campaign. Details are available at https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-affairs-outreach/opioid-response/Pages/default.aspx
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