NH Fire Chiefs Seek $1.1M To Hire Drug, Alcohol Counselors
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Seeing a spike in drug overdoses by the same people on multiple occasions, a coalition of fire chiefs are seeking state money to hire drug counselors who can train first responders in how to better direct victims toward treatment and recovery services.
Read: NH To Hand Out Free Narcan To Prevent Overdose Deaths
Emergency responders have administered nearly 3,000 doses this year of the opioid antidote naloxone, known by its brand name Narcan. It reflects a spike of more than 300 percent since 2012, before the state's current opioid crisis hit its height.
The chiefs are seeking $1.1 million to hire four licensed drug and alcohol counselors, one developing training programs for officers statewide and three more stationed at fire departments in Nashua, Rochester and Manchester.
Lawmakers will take up the proposal in the upcoming session.
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