ARORP Director Kirk Lane Receives Award for Saving Man’s Life in Las Vegas Airport
Arkansas State Drug Director Tom Fisher recently awarded ARORP Director Kirk Lane and Natural State Recovery Director JD Skelton with the Naloxone Life Saving Award.
Over Winter Break, 2022, ARORP Director Kirk Lane was traveling through the Las Vegas airport. While walking through the terminal, Director Lane noticed a small group of people gathered around a young man. The man was unconscious, breathing slow, raspy breathes. As the former Arkansas State Drug Director, Lane immediately recognized the symptoms of an overdose.
Luckily, Lane keeps naloxone with him at all times. He was able to quickly produce his naloxone kit from his backpack. However, airport security requested that passersby stand back, including Lane. Most of the people in the group believed the young man was experiencing a seizure, and they would not permit Lane to administer naloxone.
There was a woman in the crowd who was a doctor, though she did not speak English. When Lane showed her the naloxone, she nodded, indicating to the group that she advised it. The crowd parted to let Lane through. He administered the first dose, and the man’s eyes fluttered open, then shut. He administered the second dose, worried that he might not have enough available. To the group’s relief, the man opened his eyes and sat up, revived.
Lane reported that the young man called him a few months later to inform him that he had gotten into treatment and was on his way to recovery. He thanked Lane for saving his life.
