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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Contact
Myles Bell
Columbus Public Health
614-645-2711
mabell@columbus.gov
