Chief Deputy Sheriff Elizabeth Floyd told Columbia aldermen on Sept. 6 that “drug overdose is an epidemic.”

Floyd said all Tyrrell deputies now carry NARCAN (naloxone hydrochloride) to counteract opioid overdose by spraying the product into the victim’s nasal passages.

She also thanked the aldermen for sponsoring the recent law enforcement appreciation luncheon.

The Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office responded to 535 law enforcement calls or complaints inside the town during August, Floyd reported. One fire and 25 ambulance calls were also reported.

Officers issued 17 citations in August.

In the northwestern sector of town, as delineated by Scuppernong Drive and Broad Street, there were three investigations and eight citations issued.

In the northeast there were 10 investigations, five citations, two orders for arrest for failure to appear in court, and two on-view arrests for violation of court orders.

The southwest section saw two citations.

And in the southeast there were two investigations, two citations, and two orders for arrest served — for contempt of court and failure to appear.

Arrests made at the sheriff’s office: two criminal summons for failure to return rental property and for worthless check; two orders for arrest for failure to appear and for probation violation; and two warrants served for possession of a controlled substance on prison/jail premises and for manufacturing marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, and obstructing justice.

Two deputies each attended 16 hours of in-service training, and officers assigned to Columbia drove 1,912 miles on duty during August.