Kentucky’s Overdose Detection Mapping Application System detected an unusual surge in nonfatal drug overdoses requiring emergency medical services (EMS) response.
The system has shared three alerts since February 5 to warn people who use drugs to exercise extreme caution and practice harm reduction methods.
Kentucky Counties Report Rising Drug Overdoses
Overdoses can occur for several reasons, including higher drug potency, increased tolerance, and people taking larger doses to achieve the same effects. When these alerts go out, EMS and other first responders become wary of trends and patterns regarding increased drug use.
Alerts from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application System were issued in three Kentucky counties.
The first, shared on February 5, alerted residents in Daviess County to stay cautious following 13 suspected nonfatal overdoses reported between January 29 and February 4.
The second alert was sent on February 11, after EMS personnel from Hardin County reported eight suspected nonfatal drug overdoses between February 7 and the 10th.
The most recent alert went out on February 13 in Jefferson County. It followed a worrying 32 suspected nonfatal overdoses handled by EMS teams between February 12 and the following day.
Overdose Prevention and Addiction Help in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department for Public Health urges residents who use substances to remain as safe as possible by practicing harm reduction methods and knowing where to get help when you need it.
Officials ask people who use drugs, their friends, and their family to learn how to administer naloxone and always keep a dose on-hand. This medication is available over-the-counter with no prescription and reverses opioid overdose symptoms.
Since fentanyl is often found in unregulated drugs, naloxone can be helpful no matter what drug was taken.
All Kentucky residents can share information with friends, colleagues and family and check in on loved ones regularly. If you suspect someone is overdosing or having a drug-related emergency, dial 911.
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