It might look like a small check in the feature photo of this article, but it represents a big step in Kane County’s efforts to save lives.

Using money from the Drug Education Fund, Kane County Sheriff Donald Kramer presented a $60,919 check to the Kane County Health Department to help continue the Narcan training program. The money will go to supply police officers and some school nurses with the drug that already has saved 48 people from heroin overdose right here in Kane County.

KCHD staff has been training police departments and other first responders in its use since 2014. Narcan has been effective in reversing heroin overdoses and is being carried by police and first responders as a way to give quicker treatment before paramedics arrive.

As of December, 48 people have been saved in Kane County by police officers responding to the scene of an overdose and administering Narcan. A total of 2,300 doses were purchased as well as 2,300 nasal atomizers using the funds from Kramer’s office.

“The Kane County Health Department will continue to reach out and provide training to partner agencies,” said Executive Director Barbara Jeffers. “We want to thank Sheriff Kramer for the generous donation, and also to all the officers who have undergone the training in this important initiative.”

Under the state’s Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act, law enforcers are allowed to use assets seized in the course of an investigation of convicted drug dealers for anti-drug initiatives such as narcotics investigations and for other law enforcement purposes.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department