Overdose Awareness Month

NORWALK — August is Overdose Awareness Month, with Aug. 31 being observed as Overdose Awareness Day. According to provisional data from the CDC, in 2020, 91,799 drug overdose deaths occurred (an increase of 31% from 2019) and more than 140,000 people die from excessive alcohol use in the United States each year. Overdose Awareness Month raises awareness of overdose and stimulates action and discussion about overdose prevention. It is an opportunity to spread the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and remind the community that drug overdose is preventable. This month also takes the time to acknowledge the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from a drug overdose. • What is an Overdose? An overdose means having more of a drug (or combination of drugs) in your system than your body can cope with. There are a number of signs and symptoms that show someone has overdosed, however, these differ depending on the type of drug used. It is important to note that all drugs can cause an overdose, including prescription medication prescribed by a doctor and alcohol. Generally people do not automatically think of alcohol when they think of overdose, but alcohol is a depressant and it is possible to overdose on it. Acute alcohol poisoning, which is usually a result of binge drinking, is an example. Mixing alcohol and certain medications can also cause overdose. Identifying an Overdose and Action Steps • First Aid for Drug Overdose A range of signs and symptoms can occur when a person overdoses, and everyone responds differently. Signs and symptoms depend on a variety of factors including which substance has been consumed, the amount taken and the person's state of health at the time. If you can't get a response from someone, do not assume they are asleep. Sometimes it can take hours for someone who has overdosed to die. An overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Always call 911 if you suspect someone has overdosed. • When to Call an Ambulance People are often reluctant to call an ambulance, typically due to fear of police involvement. However, you should always call an ambulance if you suspect someone is at risk of overdose. Seeking emergency help isn't just for when someone is unconscious. You should also seek emergency help when someone is: • Having a seizure. • Experiencing severe headache. • Experiencing chest pain. • Experiencing breathing difficulties. • Extremely paranoid, agitated and/or confused. *** It is not necessary for someone to have all of these signs or symptoms for them to be overdosing. Exhibiting one or two could still mean they are in trouble and need emergency help. • Naloxone Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is used by paramedics to revive individuals who have had an opioid overdose. Naloxone can cause withdrawal symptoms and a powerful urge to take more of the drug that led to the overdose. Anyone who has been revived using naloxone should understand the risks involved in taking more drugs afterwards. Taking more drugs after being administered naloxone can result in a second overdose. • Deterra Drug Deactivation Pouches Deterra Drug Deactivation System Pouches provide safe, convenient, and permanent disposal of unused, expired, or unwanted medications at home or in a clinical setting. By safely disposing of medication that will not be used, we can reduce the likelihood that medication will be abused and reduce chances of overdose. • Project Dawn/Let's Get Real Peer Recovery Organization Huron County opened it's first Project Dawn site this past year. Let's Get Real, Huron County's Peer Recovery Organization, is the operator of the Project Dawn location and offers free education and training for Naloxone (Narcan), free Naloxone kits, as well as services and supports for individuals who are struggling with substance use such as access to detox and/or treatment and peer support. • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is treatment for addiction that includes the use of medication along with counseling and other supports. Treatment that includes medication is often the best choice for opioid addiction. If a person is addicted, medication allows him or her to regain a normal state of mind, free of drug-induced highs and lows. It frees the person from thinking all the time about the drug, reduces problems of withdrawal and helps people manage their addiction so that the benefits of recovery can be maintained. Below is a list of local agencies that provide MAT: • Family Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services: 567-560-3584 • Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services: 419-663-3737 • Huron County Public Health: 419-668-1652 • Oriana House LLC: 567-280-4023 The goals of Overdose Awareness Month are: • To provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame. • To reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and overdose by looking beyond the statistics and seeing an individual as someone's son, daughter, mother, father, friend, loved one, etc. • To give community members information about the issues of fatal and non-fatal overdose. • To send a strong message to current and former people with substance use disorder that they are valued and their life matters. • To stimulate discussion about overdose prevention. • To provide information on the range of local supports and services that are available for both substance use and mental health. What can you do? • Encourage your workplace/community to participate in Overdose Awareness observance activities. • Offer an educational program, such as one related to preventing substance use and overdose, in partnership with a local organization within your business, organization, or school. For information on educational trainings offered by MHAS on mental health and substance use, email admin@huroncountymhas.org. • Share information related to substance use and services and supports available for help with your employees, congregation, staff, and family. Visit www.hcbmhas.org for more information. • Join a local outreach effort: — Animal House Sober Club Overdose Awareness Day event 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at Central Park (215 North St., Bellevue). — Project Noelle's Overdose Awareness Day event 6 p.m. Aug. 28, at Veterans Memorial Lake Park in Norwalk. This event will have local speakers, local resources for substance use supports and services, and a candlelight vigil in memory of loved ones lost. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental health and substance use challenges and live full and productive lives. Resources for Help • If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately. • If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, you can call: • Huron County Crisis Hotline: 800-826-1306 • National Suicide Hotline at 800-273 TALK (8255) • If you're uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text 4HOPE to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. For more information on overdose prevention and the services and supports available within the community, visit www.hcbmhas.org.