Nonfatal drug overdose alert issued in 17 counties
Kentucky Health News
Health officials issued an overdose alert in 17 Kentucky counties last week, reporting a surge in nonfatal drug overdoses.
Since Sept. 11, hospitals in the Central Kentucky region have reported 67 suspected nonfatal overdose-related emergency visits, according to the alert issued by the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
The alert says this “represents an unusually high number in this time period.”
The alert is for Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford counties.
According to DPH, here are some suggestions for what you can do:
- Always keep naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, on hand and administer it if you suspect an overdose. Naloxone and other harm reduction supplies are available at local health departments. Click here to find a Syringe Service Program. Click here to find naloxone distribution sites or instructions for how to order it by mail.
- Don’t use drugs alone.
- Find available treatment and recovery options for substance use disorder at FindHelpNowKY.org or call 1-833-859-4357 during business hours, or 1-800-854-6813 after business hours.
- Check in on friends, family members, neighbors and others to share this information.
- Call 911 if you suspect an overdose.