News Flash

The City of Twin Falls is stepping up its response to the national opioid epidemic by partnering with St. Luke’s Magic Valley to train and equip first responders, Police and Fire personnel, with Narcan.  Doctor Matt Larson of St. Luke’s Magic Valley said, “The Federal Government recognizes the opioid epidemic hitting our country, the medical community recognizes the opioid epidemic, and law enforcement recognizes the opioid epidemic.  While I would prefer to treat patients in the E.R., the bottom line is we have to have Narcan in the field to keep people alive long enough to get them to the E.R.” 

Lieutenant Terry Thueson said, “The Twin Falls Police Department recognizes the national opioid epidemic as more than a simple addiction problem. It is a national health crisis that is affecting our community in the same ways it has impacted other communities across the country. We recognize that the Twin Falls Police Department plays an important role in addressing this problem in our community. Our responsibility as peace officers to our community goes beyond mere enforcement of drug laws and includes education and prevention strategies.”  As a result, the Twin Falls Police Department has taken several steps to enhancing our ability to address illegal drugs within our community.

1. The Twin Falls Police department has recently increased the number of officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts from 1 to 3 this past year. 
2. The Twin Falls Police Department recently received a grant from the Twin Falls Blue Lakes Rotary Club to purchase an additional drug detection canine.
3. The Twin Falls Police Department is training and equipping our officers with Narcan.

In looking at the national opioid trend and its impact on our community, according to the Twin Falls County Coroner’s office, in 2015 there were 19 deaths attributed to overdose, 18 overdose-related deaths in 2016, and 14 overdose-related deaths so far in 2017.  Additionally, in 2015 the Twin Falls Police Department responded to 58 calls for service regarding an overdose.  In 2016, that number increased to 70.  So far in 2017, the Twin Falls Police Department has responded to 59 overdose-related calls for service. 

In terms of illicit prescription and opioid enforcement activity, in 2015 the Twin Falls Police Department took 48 prescription drug reports and made 40 arrests for illegal prescription drugs.  That same year the Twin Falls Police Department took 7 reports and made 6 arrests for heroin.  In 2016, the Twin Falls Police Department took 36 prescription drug reports and made 27 arrests for illegal prescription drugs.  In 2016, the Twin Falls Police department took 14 reports and made 9 arrests for heroin.  And so far in 2017, the Twin Falls Police Department has taken 25 reports for illegal prescriptions and made 21 arrests for illegal prescription drugs.  The Twin Falls Police Department has also taken 24 reports and made 21 arrests for heroin so far in 2017.

Recently the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) published a study regarding a national trend in drug abuse and overdose-related deaths, The Unprecedented Opioid Epidemic.  The study indicated that in 2016, over 64,000 deaths nation-wide were the direct result of opioid overdose.  As a result of their research, they are calling on Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and health agencies to “step up their response” as overdose becomes a leading cause of death.   

The report provided by PERF cited several examples of police agencies nation-wide that have trained and equipped their officers with naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of opiate ingestion.  The report claims, “Thousands of Police Officers are carrying naloxone and saving lives by the hour.”  Since October 2017 when many of our officers received training and began carrying Naloxone, the Twin Falls Police Department has had two successful deployments of naloxone that have reversed the effects of overdose prior to paramedic’s arrival on scene.

Information provided by the Twin Falls County Coroner’s Office