As Cuyahoga County Deputy Sheriffs, Detective Enk and Detective Mahon are always prepared to quickly respond to an emergency. Sometimes, they encounter dangerous situations that require swift action to save a life.

On May 18, 2020 Detective Enk and Detective Mahon were alerted by a customer at GetGo gas station in Garfield Heights of a man who was unresponsive behind the wheel of a van in the parking lot after a suspected drug overdose. Detective Enk and Detective Mahon went to their Sheriff cruiser and retrieved their safety equipment, along with two doses of Narcan nasal spray—a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, Narcan blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing.

“As we approached the man, I knew we needed to get him out of the van and lay him flat on the ground,” said Detective Enk. “After he was laid on the ground, the man was unresponsive to us, so I prepared my two doses of Narcan and administered it to him.”

Garfield Heights Police and EMS arrived at the scene and the man was turned over to the paramedics. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Thanks to Detective Enk and Detective Mahon, a potentially fatal situation was prevented.

If you or anyone that you know is actively using or recovering from opioid addiction, contact Project DAWN for information at 216-778-5677. Eligible program participants are given free Naloxone (Narcan) kits.

Fentanyl, a powerful opiate up to 25 times more potent than heroin, is being substituted for what is thought to be heroin or is being mixed with heroin by some drug dealers. People buy the drug assuming it is just heroin and consuming it at the same rate, leading to overdoses and deaths. Free fentanyl test strips are available at the following locations:

• Circle Health Services (12201 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 | 216.721.4010)
• Care Alliance Clinic (2916 Central Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216.535.9100)
• Care Alliance Clinic (1530 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland OH 44114 | 216.781.6724)
• MetroHealth – Mobile Unit (3370 W.25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44109)

Additionally, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 216-623-6888.