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TROY, N.Y. -- When a person overdoses on drugs, time is of the essence for emergency responders. But before EMTs arrive, police need to secure the scene.

In the past, officers couldn't treat the person for an overdose. Now, in Rensselaer County, they can.

County deputies can now counteract the high and allow the patient to breath with a drug called Naloxone hydrochloride , more commonly known as narcan. The program is the first of its kind in the state.

Deputies have been trained and are now carrying narcan.

"This is particularly important in the rural portions of Rensselaer County where, is served by many volunteers, who, as dedicated as they are, we are few and far between and the deputies oftentimes get to the scene before we do," Rensselaer County Sheriff’s office EMS instructor Lynn Kane.

Authorities say this new tactic can help intercede with opiate based drugs, like heroine. They say overdosing on prescription drugs is becoming a larger problem.