(The Center Square) – Border authorities administered Narcan to a United States citizen at the Area Port of San Luis in Arizona last week.
On Tuesday, an unconscious woman was brought to the port by her family in Mexico for the “medical emergency.” According to the news release, CBP Emergency Medical Technicians noticed she had symptoms of an opioid overdose, and woman became “semiconscious” shortly after being given Narcan.
“We have a team of certified EMTs made up of CBP Agriculture Specialists and Officers that provide medical attention to those in need at the port of entry,” Chris Leon, Area Port Director for San Luis, said in a statement. “I am proud of the CBP EMTs who saved this woman’s life and grateful to our CBP EMT team who continue to aid the traveling public, our community, and port personnel when needed.”
The woman was then picked up to receive further medical care.
It’s unclear what opioid triggered the overdose, but according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, over five people die each day as a result of primarily “prescription opioids” and “counterfeit pills with fentanyl.” Narcan, also known as Naloxone, can help “reverse” an opioid overdose, and many law enforcement officers carry it on them, especially in Arizona. CBP officers began carrying the medication in 2015, and the agency currently plays a major role in seizing fentanyl and other illicit drugs at the ports of entry.