Anaphylactic Near-Tragedy Spurs Bill for Police to Carry Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction to a food, drug, insect venom, or environmental substance. However, to provide the best outcome, it must be administered quickly after the onset of symptoms with a sufficient dose.

This January, Kristen DeMeter of West Long Branch, NJ experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. She described it this way:

I saw my son dying and I gave him an EpiPen and he didn’t die, so it’s just really important. He got into some trail mix that was left over from school. Fortunately, we were able to make sure he didn’t actually consume it but despite our best efforts, he is severely allergic. His throat started to close, his tongue swelled.

She administered their EpiPen and called emergency services. She said her toddler son Gene’s reaction was severe, requiring an additional dose. Police arrived within two minutes but did not have epinephrine on hand and were not authorized to administer it.

“I was angry, honestly,” said DeMeter.

Minutes later, paramedics arrived on the scene and administered epinephrine in their ambulance.

Gene survived and is fine today. One silver lining in the episode is that it spurred the introduction of a bill that is advancing through the NJ State Senate that would require police to carry epinephrine and be trained in its administration.

Some police departments have officers trained in administering an epinephrine auto-injector and who carry the devices, but there is no statewide law requiring them to do so. Police already carry automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and Narcan for opiate overdoses.

The bill, sponsored by senators Declan O’Scanlon and James Beach has been advanced by a unanimous vote of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

“When it’s life or death that’s a factor, it’s time to do this,” said O’Scanlon.

When asked about lawmakers’ concerns about the cost resulting from enacting the bill, Demeter said: “I think just awareness and letting people know how scary and how real it is. To have that EpiPen is really crucial.”

You can see a WPIX-TV report on the incident and legislation here: