Full Notification

Just before 11:00 p.m. last night, January 25, 2019, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies, Santa Barbara County Fire personnel, and AMR medics responded to a possible overdose at a sober living home in the City of Goleta. Deputies arrived first on scene and were able to determine that the 22-year-old Ventura resident was experiencing an opioid overdose.

A Sheriff’s deputy administered a single dose of his department-issued Naloxone nasal spray. As medics and fire personnel arrived, the subject’s vital signs improved and it was apparent that the NARCAN was effective. Fire and Medical personnel took over care of the victim, transporting him to a local hospital for further treatment.

Naloxone Hydrochloride, more commonly known by the brand name NARCAN®, blocks the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose (both medications and narcotics) including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. Due to the quick thinking and actions of the law enforcement personnel, this incident ended with a life saved instead of a drug overdose death.

All Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies receive training on the use of Naloxone. This lifesaving training is accomplished through the combined effort of the Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services Agency.

The Sheriff’s Office has deployed naloxone 16 times since our program became operational in April of 2017.