WASHINGTON — Loudoun County is deploying a new tool to combat the increase in opioid overdoses. Deputies in its most western district are now armed with a nasal spray antidote.

Sheriff Mike Chapman says he’s starting the county’s Narcan pilot program in Loudoun’s most rural district because deputies have to respond from farther distances to reach overdose victims.

“In the event the medical people don’t get there before they do, they’ll be expected to administer this and try and save lives,” he says of deputies’ responsibilities.

Trained deputies will work with EMS teams to track the amount of overdose antidote they use and how many lives are saved.

“What we’re also doing is following through on investigations trying to identify what drugs are being used and who might be supplying them as well,” Chapman says.

The state’s medical examiners office says Loudoun County saw 22 overdose deaths in 2014, up from 15 the year before.