Warwick Police Department
PRESS RELEASE
It is with the highest regard for the life-saving efforts of Officer Jill Marshall, the Warwick Police Department releases the following incident details: On Sunday, October 4, 2015 at approximately 1027hrs, Officer Jill Marshall responded to 4100 Post Road on a report of a unresponsive female operator in a car. Upon arrival, Officer Marshall was met by two witnesses who described the woman as unresponsive and possibly deceased. Off. Marshall immediately checked the female victim whose eyes were half-open, pale, and sweaty. Immediately recognizing the symptoms of a possible drug overdose, Officer Marshall retrieved her issued Narcan kit and administered it to the victim. By the time the rescue arrived, the female victim's condition rapidly reversed to the point she was able to speak with Officer Marshall. Warwick Rescue transported the coherent woman to Kent County Memorial Hospital.
If not for Officer Marshall's keen assessment and immediate revival of the victim, another life would have likely been victim to this overdose epidemic. It is with this latest incident in mind, Colonel McCartney reminds us all of the importance of early intervention and treatment as well as the wide availability of Naloxone. Please refer to the Department of Health Website for additional information: http://www.health.ri.gov/healthrisks/drugoverdose/.
Point of Contact: Captain Joseph Coffey, 401.468.4365, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Good job Officer Jill!
For a little local perspective on a national and especially regional problem:
In 2015 so far the Warwick Police has responded to 105 suspected overdoses with 9+ ending tragically in death (three are still awaiting ME confirmation). Officers have utilized Narcan 3 times possibly saving those individuals. Narcan is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids (Heroin) where overdose is suspected as indicated by depressed respiration, low pulse and loss of consciousness. Officers have been carrying Narcan since February Most times the fire department is the first to arrive at suspected overdoses and they have utilized Narcan about 90 times.
We know, more than most average citizens, the evils of herion use and other drugs are behind a good percentage of crimes and family sorrow. Try to remember, before you judge, that the drug user is someone's family member and a life saved is a life kept.
