In May 2026, as part of a collaborative public health and public safety initiative, the Puerto Rico Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) team delivered specialized opioid overdose recognition and response training to 36 officers from the Caguas Municipal Police Department. Coordinated by the Puerto Rico – U.S. Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Training Initiative, the training covered overdose identification, naloxone administration and essential intervention protocols for opioid-related emergencies, with naloxone kits supplied by the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA).

The training’s impact became clear that same day. At the close of the afternoon training session, an officer who attended the morning session returned to request an additional naloxone kit. After leaving the training, the officer encountered an individual experiencing an apparent overdose while on patrol. Drawing on the techniques learned just hours before, he administered naloxone and stabilized the individual until paramedics arrived and transported the person to a hospital for further care.

The PR ORS team’s training initiative strengthens first responder preparedness, deepens interagency collaboration and supports timely interventions that save lives across Puerto Rico.