Drug overdoses continue to plague and traumatize communities throughout Ohio. According to the CDC, Ohio has the fourth highest death rate due to drug overdose, with 47.3 deaths by overdose per 100,000 population. (For context, the provisional death rate data in Ohio due to COVID-19 is 82 per 100,000, and the death rate by firearm injury is 15.2 per 100,000.)
In 2020 alone, there were 5,204 drug overdose deaths in Ohio, the third highest number per state in the country.
This is a grievous and tragic challenge, but our community has resources available to reduce these figures, reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and save lives.
What Is Narcan?
Narcan is the brand name for the medicine Naloxone. It is used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, which can prevent the loss of life.
Why Are We Distributing Narcan in Our Community?
Whether a person becomes addicted to pain medication after a surgery or experiments with a drug they think they’ll be able to use recreationally, drug addiction can take hold and destroy lives with just one use. Many of today’s drugs available on the street are laced with fentanyl, a highly potent and deadly drug that can cause an overdose with just one use…or even with light exposure. Take it from two local deputies who both began to overdose when exposed to fentanyl. Without Narcan, the two deputies might not be here today.
The bottom line is Narcan saves lives, and we want to save lives in our community.
Where Can You Get Narcan in Ashland?
If you feel it could benefit you or someone you love in the event of an emergency, Narcan is available for free from ACCADA, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, the Ashland County Health Department, and local pharmacies.
How Do You Give Someone Narcan?
Naloxone (Narcan) can be given as a nasal spray or it can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or into the veins. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions:
You can save lives in Ashland County. If you feel Narcan would benefit you, please reach out to one of the organizations listed above.
