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If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
New Westminster – On December 30th a New Westminster Police Department constable was patrolling in the downtown New Westminster area and was flagged down by two citizens for help. They directed the officer to a man who appeared to be overdosing. When the officer saw nearby drug paraphernalia he reached for his Narcan nasal spray and administered a dose while calling for paramedics.
Soon after the dose of Narcan nasal spray, the man began to show signs of life. The officer moved the man into a recovery position and reassured him that BC Ambulance was on the way. The patient was assessed on scene by paramedics.
“We are struggling with two provincial health emergencies that are putting the most vulnerable in our community at additional risk,” Stated Sergeant Kumar. “We’re relieved this constable was in the area at the right time.”
The New Westminster Police Department adopted the use of Narcan in February of 2017 as a means to save lives in opioid overdose situations. The drug, which enters the body through a nasal spray, reverses the effects of opioids. New Westminster Police Department would like to encourage people using drugs to practice harm reduction strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Helpful information can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website www.bccdc.ca.
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CONTACT PERSON: Sergeant Sanjay Kumar
PHONE: 604-529-2537
FILE: 2020-21502
