Narcan negotiations

To get a sense of how bad the heroin OD epidemic is, consider this: In Taunton, Massachusetts there were 52 opioid overdoses in just a three-week period last March.

Narcan is a miracle drug that can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. Many law enforcement agencies are equipping their officers with Narcan to prevent deaths from drug overdoses. The problem is that some agencies are trying to get on the Narcan bandwagon without first going the legal process of contract negotiations.

According to an article from the Boston Globe, the drug used to combat the recent spike in heroin overdoses in New England is now part of a labor dispute officials in the city of Somerville, Massachusetts and the police association.

The Massachusetts Department of Labor will hold a hearing next year to decide whether the use of the drug by Somerville police officers must be outlined as an additional duty subject to contract negotiations. The Somerville Police Employees Association represents all city police employees except superior officers. SPEA officials say the order to carry and administer Narcan violates the association’s collective bargaining rights. The SPEA’s contract with the city expired two years ago.

Somerville police will continue to carry Narcan before the labor relations department renders a decision, city and union officials said.

“We understand this is an important issue, and the union is not opposed to using Narcan,” said Mike McGrath, the union’s president. “We are seeking to bargain about important issues, including officer safety, liability, and training.”

McGrath makes a good point. Politicians and local lawmakers frequently try and sneak in new duties, responsibilities, not to mention liability outside the bargaining table.

“I believe the majority of our officers embrace this responsibility,” Mayor Joseph Curtatone told Globe reporters. “While we respect the unions, this is about helping our community.”

The matter is further complicated by the fact that there is a lot of heroin trafficking, use and related overdoses in the city. According to the Globe, the Somerville Fire Department began carrying Narcan last April and the administration of the drug has been credited for saving the lives of at least 16 people.

In Boston, first responders have administered Narcan 315 times from Jan. 1 through June 30. That’s a 33 percent increase over the same period last year.