An EMS award said to have been given as a joke is making waves on social media.Somerset Pulaski County EMS Maj. Matt Johnson confirms an employee was given the “Buzz Kill Award” at the annual department Christmas party in December. The award was issued to the employee who administered the most Narcan to overdose patients in the county in 2018.Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, which is a medication used to block the effects of an opioid overdose. After posting a photo of the award on Facebook, the recipient later removed it due to the negative community response. Johnson says he’s not sure what the comments said, but the award was not intended to be offensive or public.According to Chief Steven Eubank, it was presented by other employees, not the department. Eubank said he is proud his employees aggressively treat potential drug overdoses.A representative with the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office tells WLKY overdose deaths are down in the county, thanks in part to Narcan. He says, “We were down into the single digits last year, and we’re down again this year.”If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, here is a list of resources that can help: https://www.wlky.com/article/state-of-addiction-resources-in-kentucky-and-indiana/8647976

An EMS award said to have been given as a joke is making waves on social media.

Somerset Pulaski County EMS Maj. Matt Johnson confirms an employee was given the “Buzz Kill Award” at the annual department Christmas party in December.


The award was issued to the employee who administered the most Narcan to overdose patients in the county in 2018.

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, which is a medication used to block the effects of an opioid overdose.

After posting a photo of the award on Facebook, the recipient later removed it due to the negative community response.

Johnson says he’s not sure what the comments said, but the award was not intended to be offensive or public.

According to Chief Steven Eubank, it was presented by other employees, not the department.

Eubank said he is proud his employees aggressively treat potential drug overdoses.

A representative with the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office tells WLKY overdose deaths are down in the county, thanks in part to Narcan. He says, “We were down into the single digits last year, and we’re down again this year.”

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, here is a list of resources that can help: https://www.wlky.com/article/state-of-addiction-resources-in-kentucky-and-indiana/8647976