HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Opioid abuse is a far-reaching epidemic in the United States, and Towns County is no stranger to the adverse affects. Opioids are a class of drugs which include prescription painkillers, such as OxyContin, in addition to illicit heroin. An opioid overdose can be deadly, and the primary signs that death may be imminent includes slowed or ceased breathing, pinpoint pupils, and unconsciousness or non-responsiveness. In some cases, symptoms of an opioid overdose involves limpness, pale or clammy skin, a purple or blue tint to fingernails and lips, and vomiting.

On April 4, Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton awarded a local deputy for her actions in preventing the death of an overdose victim with the use of naloxone, a medication also known as Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

“On January 26, 2019, Corporal  (Lisa) Joseph was dispatched to an overdose call at a residence in northwest Towns County,” Towns County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Couch stated. “Upon arriving, she was greeted by the home owner and a small child, the owner stated that a friend had come to the residence while he was away and was found inside the residence, sitting in a chair and was in a comatose condition. He believed the friend had overdosed on a narcotic. He further stated he was aware that the friend was a drug user and stated he may have taken an overdose of heroin or some other type of narcotic drug.

“Corporal Joseph located the person, a 26 year old male, who was seated inside and appeared to have low signs of life. She found that he had an excessive pulse and she could not awaken him. The dispatched emergency medical personnel had not arrived yet, so she performed s sternum rub with no response. Corporal Joseph, fearing that the male was in immediate danger, administered a single dose of the agency-supplied Narcan by injection into a nostril. Corporal Joseph continued to try to awaken the male and after approximately thirty 30 seconds, the male opened his eyes and appeared to be coming out of the comatose state. Upon the arrival of emergency medical personnel, Corporal Joseph notified those personnel of her actions relating to the administering of the Narcan product. After speaking with emergency medical personnel that were on the incident scene it was determined that the actions of Corporal Joseph did in fact cause an immediate change in the male and did halt further damage that the drug ingested would have caused, including death. In their words, ‘She save that man’s life’.”

When administered, opioids bind to the brain’s receptors, affecting the functionality of the central nervous system as a result. More specifically, they depress or slow the functions of the central nervous system, decreasing respiration. An overdose occurs when the dose of opioids is higher than what the body and brain can tolerate, and breathing slows to a dangerous level or stops altogether. According to medical professionals, it is important, even with the use of Narcan, for people who experience an opioid overdose to receive immediate, emergency treatment. Opioid overdoses can lead to not only death, but can result in permanent mental and physical damage.

Feature Photo: (L-R) Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, Cpl. Lisa Joseph, Capt. Jim Couch