Every Victor Valley Transit Authority bus now carries Narcan medication capable of reversing the effects of opioid overdoses, the agency announced.
The deadly opioid crisis continues to grip the nation, and “San Bernardino County has not been immune, with law enforcement and first responders facing an increasing number of overdose emergencies,” according to a VVTA statement.
“Recognizing the urgent need to protect the community it serves, VVTA identified early on that its operators and frontline staff, who interact daily with thousands of riders, could play a vital role in responding during those critical first moments,” the statement said.
The multi-year initiative involved partnerships with the California Department of Public Health, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, according to VVTA.
The extreme danger posed by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl require a coordinated and concerted effort to combat, said VVTA Board Member and pharmacist Curt Emick.
“Fentanyl is incredibly potent—just a small amount can be fatal. Sadly, we are seeing it increasingly present in our communities,” he said. “As a pharmacist, I know how quickly an overdose can turn tragic, but I also know that with NARCAN, lives can be spared. Having this medication on every VVTA vehicle means that in those critical minutes, help is available. This program could mean the difference between life and death for someone’s child, parent, or friend.”
In addition to procuring a supply of the anti-overdose medication, VVTA has also been working to train staff to recognize the signs of an overdose and safely administer Narcan spray until emergency personnel can take over treatment, the agency said.
“With the program now fully implemented, VVTA stands among the few transit agencies in California to have deployed NARCAN across its entire fleet—setting a standard for proactive community safety,” according to the statement.
VVTA CEO Nancie Goff said for many, public transit amounts to a “lifeline.”
“We take that responsibility seriously,” she said. “By equipping every vehicle in our fleet with NARCAN, we ensure that our team is prepared to respond in a crisis and give someone’s loved one a second chance. This is a powerful example of how partnership and persistence can create lasting community impact.”
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley Transit Authority adds Narcan anti-overdose medicine to every bus
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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