By RON GOWER

rgower@tnonline.comSummit Hill police officers will soon be allowed to administer the drug Narcan to people who overdose on heroin.The borough council approved the procedure at its meeting this week.Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr. said the drug can be administered as soon as agreements are drawn up with Lehighton Ambulance Association, which is the local administrator of the drug.Summit Hill police might be the first local police department in the area to begin administering the drug.Fittos told council last month that the state Legislature has granted permission for police departments to administer the drug without fear of legal action.Fittos also said a company has donated over 4,000 units of Narcan to be given to first responders in specific regions, and this area is one of them.Police often are first at the scene, and the response time by ambulances can be delayed if ambulances are out of town, the police chief said.Administering Narcan might save the life of an overdose victim.At present there would be no cost to the police, Fittos said. Once the free supply is gone, police can purchase nasal units for about $25 each.Fittos assured council that even if a patient is misdiagnosed, the only side effect of Narcan is vomiting.Earlier this month, Lansford Police Department sought approval from the borough council to participate in Narcan administration.Council member Tommy Vadyak was opposed because, he said, sometimes when addicts regain consciousness, they become combative.The Lansford Council tabled the matter.