PA Governor To Request $10M To Make Sure Law Enforcement Has Access To Narcan

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf stopped in Montgomery County today to announce he's requesting $10 million in the upcoming budget to make sure law enforcement across the commonwealth has access to the opioid-overdose-antidote Narcan.

Governor Wolf says since law enforcement in Pennsylvania started carrying Nalaxone or Narcan, they've saved more than 2,300 lives.

"And the reason it's necessary is because the person who we're treating has to be alive when we treat them for substance abuse disorder, which is a chronic disease."

Both Governor Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro say Naloxone is just one tool in battling drug and opioid addiction.

"We have said many times we will be merciless when it comes to the drug dealers – and we are, but we'll be compassionate when it comes to those who are battling the disease of addiction."

The $10 million, if approved in the budget, would go through the Pennsylvania Commissioner on Crime Delinquency.