WINONA, Minn. – A Winona police officer collapsed after apparently brushing against opioid residue or inhaling fumes while answering a call on the East Side. The officer experienced confusion, dizziness, sweatiness, low blood pressure and euphoria before sitting down and appearing to lose consciousness, a fellow officer said. It was described as having all the signs of a drug overdose. The fellow officer sprayed a dose of Narcar, an anti-overdose nasal remedy, and called an ambulance. The fallen officer was treated with Naloxone at the hospital emergency room and held a few hours for observation, then released. The opioid contact was at a house in the 500 block of Kansas Street. Officers had been called about the unexpected death of an 82-year-old man. Officers said Drugs were ound in the house, officers aid, but added here was no reason to suspect the deceased man was on drugs. However, an autopsy was ordered because the circumstances of the death were not clear. Foul play was not suspected, police said.
Narcan. Since 2023 Winona officers have carried the anti-overdose drug Narcan as standard equipment.
Occupational hazard
The case was the first anyone can remember of a Winona officer suffering an accidental overdose on duty. It can occur with skin contact with an opioid on an infected surface, with breathing opioid air particles, or with particles entering the eyes. Deleterious effects can be immediate.