COVINGTON, La. (AP) - Sheriff's deputies in a New Orleans suburb now can help people who have overdosed on heroin or other opioids.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority has provided 200 doses of the antidote naloxone, packaged as nasal sprays.

Smith says deputies often arrive before an ambulance, and this gives them a chance to help immediately.

St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston taught deputies how to administer the nasal spray.

Smith says in a news release that he asked the authority for help because opioid overdoses continue to rise in the parish. He says naloxone won't keep someone from using drugs in the future but gives them a chance at a future in which they can make better decisions.