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A man out walking his dogs runs up to us, says there& #39;s guy in trouble. Says the guy& #39;s unconscious, unresponsive.
He says to follow him, and we do.
We end up behind the train station kitty-corner from police headquarters.
He says to follow him, and we do.
We end up behind the train station kitty-corner from police headquarters.
The guy in trouble is a 19-year-old overdose victim. He is very clearly dying and I recognize him right away.
We spoke with him and his female friend 20 minutes prior and less than a block away.
We spoke with him and his female friend 20 minutes prior and less than a block away.
My cohort rubs his sternum with her knuckles, trying to elicit a response.
Nothing.
I blast a dose of Narcan up his nose.
His friend flits around us in a panic.
We wait a beat...
Nothing.
I blast a dose of Narcan up his nose.
His friend flits around us in a panic.
We wait a beat...
As I unwrap another dose, his friend kneels beside him and briefly places her head on his chest, imploring him to wake up.
He doesn& #39;t stir.
I give him the second dose.
We wait another beat.
His friend& #39;s pleading voice recedes to the background.
He doesn& #39;t stir.
I give him the second dose.
We wait another beat.
His friend& #39;s pleading voice recedes to the background.
Then...
He twitches, moves, brings his hand up to his face.
His eyes open.
He pulls himself to a seated position.
The ambulance arrives just as he stands up.
He twitches, moves, brings his hand up to his face.
His eyes open.
He pulls himself to a seated position.
The ambulance arrives just as he stands up.
The paramedics want to take him to the hospital but he refuses further medical treatment.
Why?
I& #39;m not sure.
Shame? Embarrassment? Anger?
Why?
I& #39;m not sure.
Shame? Embarrassment? Anger?
He can& #39;t look at us, but he thanks us and tells us he needs to leave.
We let him go.
We have no other choice.
#VPD #patrol #addiction
We let him go.
We have no other choice.
#VPD #patrol #addiction
