A woman found unresponsive and cold to the touch on a Portsmouth sidewalk is alive today thanks to the quick thinking and lifesaving skills of local officers.
Around 5:30 a.m., officers responded to a call about a woman lying on the sidewalk near the Riverside Café on Jackson Avenue. When they arrived, they found her not breathing, unresponsive, and cold to the touch — a terrifying sight that suggested time was quickly running out.
One officer immediately administered Narcan, the life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, while the other began chest compressions. The woman began breathing again, prompting a second dose of Narcan. But moments later, she stopped breathing once more, and the officers resumed a second round of chest compressions.
Thankfully, Portsmouth Fire Department medics arrived shortly after and transported the woman to Southern Ohio Medical Center for further treatment. Her current condition hasn’t been released.
A Critical Reminder:
This dramatic rescue underscores just how vital it is for law enforcement to carry Narcan and be trained in CPR. In an opioid crisis that continues to grip communities like Portsmouth, these tools and skills can — and do — save lives on the street every day.
What You Can Do:
- Learn how to use Narcan. Free training and kits are available through many local health departments and recovery groups.
- Get CPR certified. You never know when you’ll be the one who can make the difference.
- Support first responders and community initiatives that equip them with the tools they need.
In a city fighting a tough battle against addiction, this early morning rescue is a testament to what happens when training, tools, and dedication come together — another life saved, just in time.
