Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to equip its deputies with OPVEE, a life-saving nasal spray for treating overdoses caused by natural and synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. Sheriff Michael Bouchard highlighted the significance of this new medication, stating, “Advances such as this new medication allow us the opportunity to save more lives and give them a second chance,” Bouchard said.
The opioid epidemic has cast a shadow across the United States, with Michigan experiencing its devastating impact acutely. Nationwide, opioids, particularly the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, have fueled a public health crisis of unprecedented scale. Fentanyl, often found laced in other drugs due to its high potency and low cost, has led to a surge in overdose deaths. In Michigan, this crisis has been particularly severe, with communities across the state grappling with increased rates of addiction, overdose, and fatalities. The state’s struggle mirrors the national trend, where opioids have not only claimed lives but also strained public health resources, impacted families, and exacerbated social and economic challenges. This crisis underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems to address the far-reaching consequences of opioid addiction and overdose.
Initially, Bouchard faced resistance when advocating for law enforcement to administer life-saving drugs. However, the severity of the national health crisis has since shifted perspectives. “When I first pushed to allow law enforcement to administer a drug to save lives, oddly there was pushback. Now, everyone understands the scope of this national health emergency and how many lives are affected. We all must do everything in our power to help those struggling with substance abuse disorder,” Bouchard explained.
The Sheriff’s Office has collaborated with Indivior, the Virginia-based manufacturer of OPVEE, and other local health organizations, including the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities and Oakland Community Health Network, which is funding the initial $7,500 cost for 100 boxes of the drug.
Nina DeLorenzo, Indivior’s chief global impact officer, remarked on the significance of this initiative: “The availability of OPVEE in Oakland County, Michigan represents a significant step in our efforts to address today’s era of opioid overdoses,” said DeLorenzo. “OPVEE will now be carried by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the participation of law enforcement is critical in this fight as they are often the first people responding to overdoses in our communities.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the sharp rise in opioid-related overdoses, particularly those involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The National Center on Health Statistics reports a staggering increase in overdoses which have surged over seven times from 2015 to 2021. These overdoses now constitute two-thirds of the total overdose fatalities, reaching nearly 107,000 in 2021. In contrast to naloxone, which remains active for up to 90 minutes, OPVEE offers a more prolonged and effective response, staying effective in the body for as long as 10 hours, especially against synthetic opioids.
Julie Brenner, president and CEO of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, expressed pride in the collaboration and the innovative approach to opioid reversal. “This collaboration aims to introduce a groundbreaking approach to opioid reversal and elevating harm reduction strategies.”
OPVEE, similar in deployment to naloxone (Narcan), will be part of the training for approximately 1,200 Sheriff’s road patrol, corrections, and reserve deputies. The training is expected to be completed agency-wide within a month. Bouchard was instrumental in the 2014 Michigan legislative change that authorized police officers to administer opioid antagonists like Narcan.
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