ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Before Thursday, Texas State University Police did not have any naloxone, the medicine that can quickly reverse a drug overdose.
Now, they have 40 doses of it. It’s thanks to Callie Crow, a paramedic and mom whose son died from a drug overdose in 2020.
“He died from Fentanyl toxicity just one week after his 27th birthday,” Crow said.
After his death, Crow created a nonprofit in her son’s name, Drew’s 27 Chains. She goes across the state to train first responders and community members to use the newest form of naloxone and Narcan.
She’s given nearly 400 trainings across the state.
“Probably just under 5,000 people. We have been at 60 different police departments throughout the State of Texas. We also train in school districts, public school districts, bars, restaurants, churches,” Crow said.
So far, she said her trainings have saved 36 lives.
Texas State Police Chief Matthew Carmichael said they’re grateful to now have this lifesaving medicine.
“We’re the first ones on scene often times we’ll beat EMS on scene. And so this is just another tool in our officers’ belts to provide life-saving care to our students and our community,” Chief Carmichael said.
On Friday, Crow will be at Texas State’s San Marcos campus Friday. She said her goal is to go to every police department in the state.