Philadelphia's Department of Prisons is gaining attention for equipping its officers with a life-saving tool: Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. This drug, which can reverse opioid overdoses, has been put into the hands of trained staff members within the city's correctional facilities. The PDP recently highlighted the quick thinking and dedication of Officers Cianna Gland, Generra Edwards, Megan Horn, and Correctional Sergeant Jerrika Gadson, who, thanks to their training, were able to use Narcan to save the lives of individuals experiencing overdoses behind bars.
Despite efforts to block the flow of illegal drugs into prison facilities, there is an unfortunate reality that some do slip through, leading to incidents of overdose among the incarcerated. In these critical moments, as Correctional Officer Gland stepped in without hesitation, stating, "I saw someone in distress, and I felt confident in my training that I could help him. It was simple. I’m happy that I was there and able to help an incarcerated person in distress," in a statement made by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Actions like these not only save lives but also highlight the commitment of the PDP officers to their duty of care.
Since February, the PDP has ensured that Narcan is available and that their officers are adequately trained to administer it. Leading the training initiative is YesCare Senior Director of Clinical Services Lynda Witkowski. The need for such measures is underscored by statistics from PDP Chief of Medical Operations Dr. Bruce Herdman, who notes that almost 70 percent of the PDP population battles substance abuse disorder and are thus at risk for overdose, particularly early in their incarceration.
Narcan has been increasingly adopted within correctional facilities nationwide, from Los Angeles to New York, for its ability to confront the persistent challenge of overdoses. This drug holds no allure for abuse since it lacks street value and is non-addictive. Furthermore, those who are not opioid users will at worst experience discomfort if administered the drug. Commissioner Michael R. Resnick praised the officers’ actions and urged all staff to follow suit, saying, "This is another tool in the toolbox at our disposal. As you can see, outfitting officers and staff with Narcan has great benefits," as reported by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
