Officers with the Ocala Police Department now have an extra tool to help a person overdosing on drugs like heroin and fentanyl.
The Ocala Police Department received 200 doses of Narcan Spray, a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses, from The Centers, an Ocala mental health and addiction service provider.
As of January, the City of Ocala has seen 53 drug overdoses with 13 of them being fatal. The Ocala Police Department planned on purchasing Narcan Spray before the donation but the cost was too high.
The Department of Children and Families provided The Center with the spray under the condition that they will give the aid to the group that needed it the most.
"This really makes the difference between life or death," said Steve Blank from The Center's Addiction Services.
Blank hopes overdose victims will realize that the Narcan Spray can save their lives but ultimately their next step is what really counts.
"We understand that there's a potential for them to have a meaningful life after addiction," said Meghan Shay from the Ocala Police Department.
Pastor Rob Peters, who suffered from addiction is living proof.
"It's been my life mission to help people who are sick and suffering," Peters said. "There was a hug need in our community."
The Centers distributed the Narcan Spray to 167 officers of the Ocala Police Department.
"It could mean the difference between 13 fatal overdoses and no fatal overdoses," Blank said.