LANSFORD, Pa. - Lansford police in Carbon County are among those who have been saving lives with the opioid antidote known as Narcan, but officers there say they're worried a new trend has taken over.
They believe people are taking part in Narcan parties.
Chief Jack Soberick said the area has a big problem with drugs.
"We're like the crossroads of crime. It's not so much here, it's passing through and that passing through drops off, and what do we have - meth, heroin, gang members," he said.
Soberick said people are now misusing the opioid antidote Naloxone, which is also known as Narcan.
"It's almost infuriating to see people now taking advantage of Narcan," he said.
Soberick said addicts are having parties with heroin-Narcan package deals. He said the deals give those selling the drugs a feeling of security, like they won't face homicide charges if someone overdoses and dies.
"What the dealers are doing is they are offering Narcan along with the opioid sales, in an effort so you can party and use the opioids, and with the intent that you can be saved by the use of the Narcan," Soberick said.
Soberick supports saving lives with Narcan, but said he's worried people believe it's a quick fix.
"People think because you have this, you are instantly going to be saved...wrong," he said.
The police chief said the heroin problem has actually plateaued and the major issue is crystal meth in Lansford.
Two years ago, Soberick said the department was able to get close to a dozen meth labs out of town in a short amount of time, but crystal meth has a higher purity.
With only six full -time officers, wiping the streets clean of crystal meth is a challenge, but one his department is up to tackle.
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