TOCCOA, Ga. — A Stephens County nonprofit is helping local law enforcement officers save lives by donating the overdose-reversal medication naloxone to law enforcement.
Open Arms Clinic recently donated the drug, commonly known as Narcan, to the Toccoa Police Department and Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. The medication can quickly reverse the effects of a suspected opioid overdose.
The donations come as drug overdoses continue to impact the community. Stephens County Emergency Medical Service data shows 25 suspected overdose cases were recorded in the county between Aug. 1, 2025, and Aug. 1, 2026. Narcan was administered to 25 patients during the same period.
Officials emphasized that those figures provide only a partial picture of the broader impact of substance abuse.
Equipping first responders
According to the Toccoa Police Department, every police officer carries Narcan in a patrol vehicle and is trained to administer it. The same is true of sheriff’s deputies. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office equipped its patrol vehicles with overdose reversal kits last year. Each kit includes Narcan nasal spray, which deputies can quickly administer to individuals exposed to deadly narcotics, including heroin and fentanyl.
Because law enforcement officers are often among the first emergency personnel to arrive at an overdose scene, having Narcan readily available allows them to intervene during the critical minutes before additional medical assistance arrives.
“Every dose of Narcan carried by an officer represents another opportunity to save a life and give someone another chance,” the Toccoa Police Department said.
Putting available supplies to use
Narcan generally has a shelf life of three to four years. By providing supplies to local public safety agencies, Open Arms Clinic is helping distribute the medication more widely and putting it in the hands of officers who may need it during an emergency.
The Toccoa Police Department thanked Sherry Beavers of Open Arms Clinic for helping ensure officers have access to the medication.
Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said the department remains committed to working with EMS, healthcare providers, community organizations, and residents to address substance abuse in the community.
“Every dose of Narcan carried by an officer represents another opportunity to save a life and give someone another chance,” the department said.
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