OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Since May 2023, the Oak Ridge Police Department said the city has given out 194 doses of Narcan. The drug, otherwise known as naloxone, is commonly used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, often saving lives.
“It’s been more common for officers to respond to overdoses with the naloxone. It’s helped our department meet our objective of trying to reduce injuries or fatalities from opioid uses or exposure,” said Christina Askren, an officer with the Oak Ridge Police Department.
It’s been used to save lives across the country. In Oak Ridge, the community is coming together to try to help people struggling with opioid abuse. ASAP of Anderson, a nonprofit that works to reduce substance misuse among young people and adults in Anderson County, said it has logged thousands of volunteer hours…