Joplin police department secures NARCAN for K9 safety
K9 officers can face the same consequences from detecting opioids. They can be treated with Narcan, the same medication used for a human opioid overdose. The Joplin Police Department recently got preventative assistance with additional doses of the drug from the Indiana group, 'Protecting K9 Heroes'.
'So, if the handler decides there is too much risk to his K9 partner, his dog won't be utilized. And so, they go to great extremes to ensure the safety of the K9s. And this Narcan is just one more way to ensure they are protecting their dogs. And the department is protecting our K9s,' said JPD Capt. Austin Wolf.
There's a risk with any of the drugs a K9 can detect—but fentanyl poses the greatest danger since even a tiny amount can be fatal. A risk with any of the drugs A K9 can detect, but fentanyl poses the greatest danger since even a tiny amount can be fatal.
Other agencies, including the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, have Narcan in possession for their K9 units.
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