Overdoses spiked in Lexington this week. What the health department wants you to know.
A recent spike in overdoses has led the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department to issue a public warning.
Between Sept. 17 and Sept. 20, 24 non-fatal overdoses were reported in Lexington, according to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application System, the health department announced Friday.
The health department did not specify what drug may be causing the overdoses.
People should consider carrying naloxone, especially if they or someone they know has a substance use disorder, since it can reverse opioid overdoses.
“Fentanyl has been found in all types of regulated drugs, so naloxone may help regardless of the drug taken,” the health department said.
Naloxone is available free to anyone who needs it through the health department’s Harm Reduction Program.
People can pick up a naloxone kit at the health department’s Dr. Rice C. Leach Community Room at 650 Newtown Pike from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
“A 10-15-minute class is all it takes to have an important tool to help the community,” the health department’s release stated.
People also should avoid using drugs alone, check on others and call 911 if an overdose is suspected, the health department said.
For help finding treatment for substance abuse, visit Findhelpnow.org/ky or call Operation UNITE’s KY HELP Statewide Call Center at 1-833-859-4357. For help outside the call center’s regular hours, call the KY/Opioid & Assistance Resource Hotline at 1-800-854-6813.
