A 24 year old man from one of Hartford’s suburbs had his life saved by a newspaper. He got into heroin five years ago through, in his own words “stupidity.”   While many get into it through injury, a doctor’s prescription exposing them to opiates, taking too many, becoming addicted, getting cut off or needing […]

On November 17, 2016, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a report, Facing Addiction in America. The 400 plus page report is a fascinating read that draws on the latest research and data to describe the current opioid crisis, the science behind addiction and the best prospects for treatment and prevention. Landmark report […]

Bart Simpson is in his parent’s Subaru parked to the side of a gas station in Hartford, Ct near the highway ramps.  The car is running, in drive, his foot is on the brake.  He is slumped forward against the wheel.  This has aroused the attention of passerbys who have called 911.  An ambulance arrives […]

The Opiate Refusal Called for ETOH.  On arrival found 28 year old male slumped on park bench, GCS-3, respiratory rate -4, cyanotic around lips.  Does not respond to stimulation.  Given 2 mg Narcan IN by FD just prior to our arrival, ventilated with ambu-bag using two person method.  Initial ETCO2-94.  Sinus at 88.  BP 130/70.  […]

Fighting opiate addiction is every bit as important as fighting the other diseases we encounter — STEMI, stroke, trauma, sepsis and the like. There is a tremendous article on the  JEMS website by Dr. Alex Garza and Dr. Sophia Dyer about EMS joining the fight against the opiate epidemic in a broader way than just responding […]

I have been writing much lately about sorrow and despair in Hartford, so I thought I would take a break, and lifting my eyes up from the heroin bags on the ground, look at some of the beauty of Hartford as seen on the city’s murals.

A 10-year-old girl was shot in the face in Hartford yesterday. She wasn’t walking down the street or riding a school bus, she was in her own home when the bullets raked through the front door. She doesn’t live on a busy street like Park Street or Albany Avenue where criminal activity can be going […]

Hartford Cops: Rash of Heroin Overdoses Part of Upward Trend  After a lull of a few weeks, the overdoses started going out again this week.  An hour after I left work Tuesday night, there was a triple OD that is widely being reported in the news, along with two other overdoses not long after.  The […]

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has alerted all EMS services in the state that there is recall on the MAD Nasal Intranasal Mucosal Atomizer Device.  The company recall notice says” Teleflex Medicine is recalling these products as they may not deliver a fully atomized plume of medication. ”  The company says they have received […]

Some heroin dealers in Hartford have switched up their drug stamps to celebrate Halloween. Drug Users are being treated to brands such as Killer Clowns, Freddy vs. Jason and Casper (the Friendly Ghost). The question for the users on Halloween (and one every day they buy): is their special envelope a trick or treat?Are they […]