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Knox County deputies to carry overdose reversal drug Naloxone

"These are being donated and given to help save lives, and that's what impressed me about it," Knox County Commission Vice Chairman Charles Busler said.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office will now carry Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, after the Knox County Commission approved a grant and donation Monday night.

The sheriff's office will receive 308 Naloxone kits. An award from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation Naloxone kits grants will provide 108 kits. A Charitable Product Donation Agreement with Kaleo, Inc. includes 200 (2-pack) Naloxone auto-injectors.

The total value of these kits comes to approximately $80,100, which is covered through the grant and donation.

"These are being donated and given to help save lives, and that's what impressed me about it," Knox County Commission Vice Chairman Charles Busler said.

The Knoxville Police Department started carrying Naloxone in September 2015. Since then, the department has had 107 saves with 64 of those in 2017, according to KPD spokesperson Darrell DeBusk.

District 6 Commissioner Brad Anders is a lieutenant with KPD. He said he has seen Naloxone's success since officers started carrying the life-saving drug.

"It's obviously helped," Anders said. "There's been nights where we've used Naloxone on multiple occasions. It's sad, but some of those have been a success."

10News reached out to the sheriff's office for comment. There is no word yet on when deputies will receive the Naloxone units and start carrying them.

Deputies will receive training as a part of the grant.

"This is reaching every demographic and every community, so it's important that we try to help as many people as we can and to keep families whole," Anders said. "And that's what Naloxone does for us."

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