Community Advisory for Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths
Community Advisory for Increase in Drug
Overdose Deaths
City and County officials urge residents affected by substance use to
seek local resources
Columbus
Public Health and Franklin County Public Health are issuing an advisory to
notify the public of an increase in drug overdose deaths and encourage
residents affected by substance use to seek local resources to protect their
health.
The
Franklin County Coroner’s Office has reported an increase in drug overdose
deaths over the last week. This trend highlights that fentanyl and other
substances are being mixed with all recreational street drugs, including
cocaine, counterfeit pills, meth, heroin and marijuana.
Public
health and community partners will be out in the community providing education
and prevention services in response to the recent surge in overdose deaths. In
addition, several local resources are available, including:
- Access to free naloxone, a prescription medication that can
reverse an overdose.
- Free fentanyl testing strips to limit unintentional exposure to
fentanyl.
- Treatment and supportive services for those affected by substance use
disorder and their loved ones.
- Safe Point, a comprehensive harm reduction
program that provides needle access, overdose prevention, drug intervention and
other health services.
- The
Rapid Response Addiction and Crisis Team (RREACT), a partnership of the Columbus
Division of Fire, ADAMH and Southeast Healthcare, will be stepping up outreach
efforts to targeted areas in Columbus that have been hardest hit with overdose
runs. Any non-emergency requests for help can be directed to RREACT at 614-330-3413.
- Project
DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) naloxone kits are available for residents and
may be picked up at the Columbus Division of Fire Headquarters, EMS Records
Office (3639 Parsons Avenue, 43207). They are open Monday through Friday,
8 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Franklin
County Public Health is providing additional doses of naloxone to all police
and fire departments in Franklin County and has obtained an emergency cache of
naloxone from the Ohio Department of Health for partner agencies to be able to distribute
through their mobilization efforts in identified high-risk communities.
- Free
community naloxone trainings can be scheduled through Franklin County Public
Health and participants can receive a free naloxone kit. Visit www.myfcph.org
for additional information.
If
anyone is witnessing or experiencing a suspected overdose, call 9-1-1
immediately.
If
you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related
emergency call the Netcare Access Crisis Hotline: 614-276-CARE (2273).
For
more information on the opiate epidemic and the Franklin County Opiate Action
Plan, please click here.
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