Milwaukee Police Department joins Hope Kit initiative, helping to treat overdose victims

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's fight against opioid-related deaths expanded Monday, May 15, as the Milwaukee Police Department announced a partnership with the Hope Kit initiative. 

Hope Kits are available to anyone in the community with no questions asked. They include Narcan, which is used to treat overdose victims. 

The police department is now joining the Milwaukee Fire Department, spreading the availability of the Hope Kits.

"We're distributing these at the scene with an individual who's overdosed. They have the opportunity to take this kit with them and survive another day. They can also walk up at any time to a Milwaukee Fire Station and receive one and now they'll have that opportunity from the Milwaukee Police Department. So we're very happy that this is happening," said Capt. Gregory Miller, with the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

Along with Narcan nasal spray, the Hope Kits contain two fentanyl test strips and one single use CPR face shield. 

At the start of the partnership the Hope Kits will just be available at police districts 2 and 3 but Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman says eventually this will be a citywide effort.