Fayette County overdoses are spiking, health dept. says. How to protect yourself, others
Fayette County health officials are warning people about a jump in the number of nonfatal overdoses since the beginning of January.
Between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7, there were 29 reported nonfatal overdoses, according to a computer mapping system the county uses to identify overdoses.
There were 17 nonfatal overdoses reported the entire previous week.
“This is an important time to carry naloxone, used to reverse opioid overdoses, especially if you or someone you know has substance use disorder,” according to a written release from Fayette County Health Department, which has a harm reduction program.
“Fentanyl has been found in all types of regulated drugs, so naloxone may help regardless of the drug taken.”
Carmen Combs Marks, substance use disorder intervention coordinator for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, said the number of nonfatal overdoses has remained about the same over the past two years. In 2022, there were 1,810. In 2023, there was a slight increase to 1,837. Those are just the recorded cases where naloxone was administered.
The number of fatal overdose deaths for 2023 is still under review and won’t be available until later this month, she said.
There’s no clear reason why there has been a dramatic spike in recent days, Combs Marks said. But the increase in fentanyl in all street drugs may be behind the uptick.
“We are seeing a lot more fentanyl in all types of drugs, not just heroin,” Combs Marks said.
Other ways to help include the following:
- Don’t use drugs alone
- If you or someone you know needs help with substance use disorder, visit https://findhelpnowky.org/ky to search for available treatment options (or call 1-833-859-4357 during business hours or 1-800-854-6813 after business hours)
- Check in on friends, family members, neighbors and others to share this information
- Call 911 if you suspect an overdose.
The health department’s harm reduction program has a 10-15 minute training on naloxone. Free naloxone kits are available 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays in the Dr. Rice C. Leach Community Room at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, 650 Newtown Pike.
Combs Marks said the city is also looking for groups who may want naloxone training.
“It could be a hotel, a school, a restaurant,” Combs Marks said. “We are trying more nontraditional approaches to education and outreach.” People interested in naloxone training can contact Combs Marks at ccombs@lexingtonky.gov.
This story was originally published January 9, 2024 at 10:17 AM.
