PROCTORVILLE — Officers in the Proctorville Police Department now have a new medication at their disposal for helping those who have overdosed.

Police recently received hands-on training two weeks ago from Lawrence County paramedic Bill Elliott on how to administer Narcan, Police Chief Bill Murphy said.

Murphy said the medication is carried by officers and is used when they suspect an overdose from heroin and opiates.

“My officers are now carrying Narcan on their person while on duty,” Murphy said.

Narcan is injected intravenously in emergency situations and can reverse the effects of opiates in an overdose. It can also be administered through the nose.

Murphy said that officers watched a training video from the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, but the department wanted the training from paramedics in order to be more thoroughly prepared.

Murphy said, so far, officers have not had to use the medication, but they are ready.

“It’s another tool we carry to better serve the community,” he said.