Weymouth Firefighter Suspended For Facebook Post About Narcan

WEYMOUTH (CBS) -- A Facebook post written by a Weymouth firefighter criticizing the use of opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan on addicts is causing controversy online and among local residents.

"He's truly sorry," said Weymouth Fire Chief Keith Stark, "and understands the ramifications of his actions."

Stark is referring to Firefighter Mark Carron, who posted a Facebook rant, saying he's tired of saving the lives of overdose victims. Carron, a 12-year veteran, has now been suspended without pay for 90 days.

The post, which has since been taken down, read, "Narcan is the worst drug ever created, let the *expletive* bags die...I for one get no extra money for giving Narcan and these losers are out of the hospital and using again in hours. you use — you should lose."

Chief Stark and Weymouth Mayor Bob Hedlund met Monday afternoon to discuss the post. "This serves as a lesson to all of us, that there is a real problem out there, and needs to be dealt with," Hedlund says.

Last year, Weymouth firefighters responded to 183 overdoses. And in 114 of those cases, Narcan was used to save lives. Still, there were 24 overdose deaths in town.

Bill Hill's son Jim was one who didn't make it. "I can't believe that a firefighter would say that," Hill said. "Narcan saves lives."

In a Weymouth coffee shop, recovering addict Mike Werra told WBZ-TV's Susie Steimle that he's seen Narcan, now carried by a growing number of first responders, save his brother and cousin. In response to the firefighter's post, he said addicts do lose.

"You do ultimately lose," Werra said. "You lose your family, you lose their trust...to say that on Facebook, it's really telling me what kind of guy you are."

In the same coffee shop, Jennifer DaRosa said the firefighter's comments were uncalled for. She said her boyfriend is a recovering addict--and that, without Narcan, he wouldn't be alive.

"They didn't choose to be addicts, it happens that way," DaRosa said. "No one understands, it's a disease you have to battle."

But Paula Pearson said the opioid crisis was everywhere, and the firefighter might have a point.

"The drug epidemic right now is crazy, it's really crazy, and he's right in a way too," said Pearson. "Everyone has their own opinion."

"The comments posted do not reflect the philosophy or values we hold as a fire department or town," Chief Keith Stark said.

Last month, Gov. Charlie Baker's administration awarded $700,000 in grants to over 40 Massachusetts communities for the purchasing of Narcan.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports