The Town of Chocowinity recently implemented a program to help save lives in the midst of a nationwide opiate epidemic.

During its May meeting, the Chocowinity Town Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to allow police squad cars to be stocked with Narcan kits based on a suggestion from Shane Grier, captain of Chocowinity EMS.

Grier pointed out that opiate-based deaths from drug overdoses are up 650 percent nationwide since Jan. 1. In Beaufort County, an average of five to six opiate-based overdoses happen per week, according to Grier. Half of those overdoses involve Chocowinity residents.

In an emergency situation, law enforcement is normally first on-scene, and in the event of an opiate overdose, time is very precious. The minutes it takes for police to investigate a residence and clear EMTs to enter and treat someone who has overdosed could mean the difference between life and death. This time frame is why commissioners passed the resolution to allow Narcan kits, which can be administered to those overdosing and prevent death, in Chocowinity squad cars. With the vote of a board, lives will now be saved in Chocowinity.

It is important to realize that while drug use and the subsequent actions associated with drug use — stealing, lying, violence, etc. — can be terrible, the people who, one way or another, are addicted to substances such as heroin, prescription pain killers and other opiates are, at the end of the day, simply people with an illness—addiction.

These people have become addicted and are not themselves, in many cases. They have a disease and need help, but many are not in a position to get help or help themselves.

The fact that the Narcan kits are available gives hope to Chocowinity. Perhaps someone who overdoses and is treated by one of these kits could very well receive the wake-up call needed to change their lives. The fact that they wake up in a hospital, to learn that the outcome could have been completely different if not for the Chocowinity Police Department could be the motivation an addicted person needs to get help.

Other municipalities should follow the lifesaving efforts of the Town of Chocowinity. Stocking the kits could help save someone’s child, someone’s sibling, someone’s parent or dear friend. If it helps one person turn their life around, it is well worth it.