5 things you can do to help prevent drug overdose-related deaths

Amelia Robinson, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read

Thousands of Ohioans die as the result of unintentional drug overdoses annually.

The opioid crisis is a key factor.

More:As the opioid crisis worsens, those responsible must be held accountable

Narcan, a brand of naloxone nasal spray, can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s easy to use – just a quick spray up the nostril of a person experiencing symptoms of an overdose. It’s always best to call 911 first to ensure the person gets appropriate medical care.
Narcan, a brand of naloxone nasal spray, can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s easy to use – just a quick spray up the nostril of a person experiencing symptoms of an overdose. It’s always best to call 911 first to ensure the person gets appropriate medical care.

What can you do to help? The Central Ohio Hospital Council offers the following tips:

  1. Safely dispose of your unused and unsafe prescriptions. Disposal options and locations can be found at the website below.

  2. Do not take drugs that are not prescribed to you.

  3. If you or someone you know uses drugs they buy on the street or online, be sure to test those drugs for fentanyl. See the website below for places to get free fentanyl test strips.

  4. If you or someone you know uses drugs that could result in overdose, make sure someone nearby has Narcan and knows how to use it. It’s a nasal spray that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. See the website below for places to get free Narcan kits and instructions.

  5. If you use drugs when you’re alone, contact a safe-use service, such as the free Brave app, while you’re using, so they can contact EMS if necessary.

Source: The Central Ohio Hospital Council. The organization is a collaboration among Franklin County’s four hospital systems to address pressing regional health concerns, including behavioral healthcare, infant mortality and opiate addiction.

It includes Mount Carmel Health System, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

For additional information and links to the resources, visit centralohiohospitals.org/opiate-addiction.

Columbus Conversation planned about opioid overdose crisis

WHAT: Dispatch presents Columbus Conversations: "What is the state of the opioid crisis in our community?"

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Where: The Fawcett Center on The Ohio State Campus Conference Theater, 2400 Olentangy River Road.

Who: Opinion and Community Engagement Editor Amelia Robinson will host the discussion, a partnership between the Dispatch, Central Ohio Hospital Council, Ohio State University and WOSU Public Media.

Panelists are:

  • Erika Clark Jones, CEO, ADAMH Franklin County

  • Dr. Krisanna Deppen, program director, OhioHealth Grant Addiction Medicine Fellowship

  • Brian Pierson, vice president, Community Health and Well-being, Mount Carmel Health System

  • Dr. Erin McKnight, medical director, Medication Assisted Treatment for Addiction Program, Nationwide Children's Hospital

  • Matt Parrish, Captain, Columbus Division of Fire

  • Dr. Emily Kauffman, emergency medicine physician, OSU Wexner Medical Center East

  • Juliet Dorris-Williams, executive director, The P.E.E.R. Center

  • Andrea Boxill, administrator, Alcohol and Drug Services, Columbus Public Health

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opioid Crisis: How to help prevent opioid overdoses deaths