Responders use Narcan to help unresponsive man

For the second time in as many weeks, Tamaqua Police found Nethaniel P. Shea, 33, of New Ringgold, passed out and unresponsive in a public area.

On Thursday, officers were dispatched to the area behind 401 Pine St. at 8:40 a.m. for an unresponsive male. They found Shea behind the Pine Street Pub, in a grassy area.

Officers called for an ambulance for a possible overdose after noting numerous track marks on Shea's forearms.

Efforts to rouse him were unsuccessful until paramedics with the Lehighton Ambulance administered a dose of Narcan. It took approximately two minutes to work, at which time Shea began speaking, telling responders to be careful as he had a needle and didn't want anyone to get stuck.

The syringe was in a backpack that was strung around Shea's neck. The backpack also contained 18 empty wax paper packets with possible heroin residue and a green and white contact case containing five Clonazepam pills.

He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness/similar misconduct.

Shea was found unresponsive in similar circumstances on July 11.