Hamilton’s police Chief Eric Girt says “the conditions have changed,” as he told the city’s police services board on Thursday afternoon that he is now prepared to support the carrying of naloxone by front-line officers in Hamilton, as well as all specialized branches.
Chief Girt had previously been resistant while noting that medical professionals are best equipped to provide naloxone, but he notes that the number of Code Zero events jumped to 31 in Hamilton in January.
He said that means “31 times in January where EMS was not available to respond” to an opioid overdose.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger is pleased with the announcement, stressing that “moments matter” and could give someone “a shot at life.”
Girt adds that the police service will now be applying for grant funding from the province, which is covering the cost of police and firefighters to carry the lifesaving drug.
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