LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — Lorain County continues to sound the alarm about a surge in opioid overdoses. The latest alert comes after an unusually high amount of opioid overdose-related emergency room visits on Saturday, May 14.
These overdoses included five females and five males:
- Three under age of 29
- Two between 30-39 years old
- One between 40-49 years old
- Four over the age of 50
This was the third opioid related anomaly reported in the last three weeks, according to Lorain County representatives. This is compared to only five anomalies reported from May 2021 to the present time.
The three overdose anomalies over the last three weeks include:
- May 14: 10 overdoses
- May 7: 9 overdoses
- May 1: 8 overdoses
Lorain County Public Health Commissioner Mark Adams is urging users of opioids to take precautions if not using pharmacy-issued drugs, "If you are using drugs that are not from a pharmacy, do not use alone, and have Narcan with you," Adams advises in a statement put out by LCPH.
Lorain County, along with many other regions around the U.S., have experienced issues with "fake pills" sold as Adderal, Xanax and oxycodone that are laced with deadly amounds of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid.
Fentanyl, along with cocaine, is being mixed with "street drugs" that are being sold without the oversight and regulations of a pharmacy.
LCPH reminds you of the following tips and resources:
- Never use alone, call 1-800-484-3731.
- Get a Narcan rescue kit for free:
○ Have a kit mailed to you in 1-3 business days, order online HERE
○ Pick up a kit at Lorain County Public Health at 9880 S. Murray Ridge Rd, Elyria.
○ Find another Narcan pick up location HERE - Visit the Harm Reduction Clinic at The Nord Center at 3150 Clifton Avenue, Lorain to exchange syringes, pick up fentanyl testing strips, and get support.
- Know that recovery is possible. When you’re ready to ask for help, call 1-800-888-6161.
For more information, contact Lorain County Public Health at (440) 322-6367 or visit LorainCountyHealth.com.
Editor's Note: The video above is from a previously published story on overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County posted on May 13, 2022.
