Edison students have coffee with cops

By Caitlin Nearhood, Sandusky Register
Original article HERE

Talking to police officers can be intimidating.

But, by sharing coffee and conversation, tension can easily subside.

Edison High School students talked with, and posed questions to, officers during “Coffee with a Cop” Wednesday in Joesph Collins’ class. Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth, Milan police Chief Bob Meister and Berlin Heights police Chief Charity Schafer provided answers and first-hand knowledge during the two-hour session.

The opioid epidemic dominated the discussion as officers described overdose symptoms, how Narcan is administered to reverse them, local drug trends and more.

Each Narcan box, or “kit”, contains two 4-milligram nasal sprays, which are carried by most enforcement officers in the county. Medically-trained paramedics employed by fire departments tend to carry an intravenous form of Narcan.

Unlike an Epipen, Narcan has no side effects, so first responders can carry it and not need further medical training, officers said. Normally, it takes about two doses of Narcan to sustain a victim before an ambulance arrives but more doses are sometimes needed.

Students questioned why officers save addicts, some of whom repeatedly overdose and are revived with Narcan for free.

“We have an obligation to save lives,” Sigsworth said. “None of us got into law enforcement to not save lives. We’re community caretakers, not the judge and jury.”

The Register previously reported the state health department has provided Narcan to the Erie County Health Department, which gives it to area law enforcement like Sandusky, Perkins police and sheriff’s office. The state health department plans to provide Erie County with about 850 boxes of Narcan over the next year at no cost to taxpayers.

Meister reminded students overdoses can happen anywhere, referencing a recent overdose that occurred at the Milan Melon Festival.

“Don’t think (overdoses) can’t happen in your community because they can,” he said.

As far as what students can do, Sigsworth said they can advocate for better understanding of mental health issues and for more funding. He noted how many people with addictions are diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

“There’s still a stigma with mental health in our country,” he said.

Afterward, Sigsworth was impressed with the session’s productivity.

“To foster communication like this between law enforcement and students is outstanding,” he said. “We appreciate them allowing us to come and have these discussions. Prevention is the key and it’s through education we can do that.”