Chief Birbeck Holds Narcan Seminar

Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck educated attendees at a seminar at the Olney Senior Cub Center on recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses—arming them not just with information, but with the power to save a life.

In a May 20 presentation, Chief Birbeck outlined the dangers of opioid use and the increasing presence of deadly substances like fentanyl in rural communities.

The substance, used for pain control, is so concentrated that a dose the size of a pen tip can kill an adult, he said. Olney police carry Narcan in their vehicles in case they are inadvertently exposed to fentanyl, he said.

He reviewed the signs of an opioid overdose, which may include: unconsciousness, slow or no breathing, blue or grayish lips or fingernails, pinpoint pupils, and gurgling or snoring sounds.

If you find someone unconscious, he said, call 911 immediately, administer Narcan nasal spray, and stay with the person. If they don’t respond within 2-3 minutes, give a second dose. Even if they wake up, they still need emergency medical care, he said.

“Even if the person wakes up, Narcan is not a substitute for emergency medical care,” Chief Birbeck said. “Always call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.”

He added that Narcan is safe for everyone, and when in doubt about whether you are dealing with an overdose, administer the spray.

Attendees learned about the Good Samaritan Law, which protects people who assist during an overdose from legal repercussions. “You won’t get in trouble for helping,” he said, emphasizing the law’s goal of encouraging intervention, not punishing it.

The chief also addressed the stigma surrounding addiction. He urged the group to adopt “person-first” language— saying “a person with a substance use disorder” rather than “addict”—to promote dignity and understanding. “Stigma keeps people from seeking help,” he said. “And language matters.”

After his presentation, Chief Birbeck handed out boxes of Narcan containing two doses.

For more information or to get a dose of Narcan, contact the Olney Police Department at 940-276-2013.