Where people are overdosing and dying in Summit County? 7 ZIP codes

Amanda Garrett, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·2 min read
10
This is an image of a postcard Summit County public health officials sent out to predominantly African-American neighborhoods. If you scan the code with your phone, it will walk you through how to get a free naloxone kit to reverse an opioid overdose.
This is an image of a postcard Summit County public health officials sent out to predominantly African-American neighborhoods. If you scan the code with your phone, it will walk you through how to get a free naloxone kit to reverse an opioid overdose.

Fatal overdoses in Summit County are increasing, with 123 confirmed through Aug. 11 this year, plus another 29 suspected cases awaiting lab results to make a final determination. Public health officials say there are seven ZIP codes in Summit County where more than 25 people have died from drug overdoses since 2022. All but one is all or mostly part of Akron:

  • 44306: East Akron

  • 44314: Kenmore

  • 44312: Akron's Ellet and Lakemore area

  • 44203: Barberton/Norton area

  • 44320: West Akron/Sherbondy Hill area

  • 44305: Goodyear Heights/Middlebury

  • 44310: North Hill

In-depth: Fentanyl, possibly mixed with tranq, still fueling opioid crisis as Summit deaths rise

Helping people stay alive

Public health officials urge illicit drug users or those recovering from opioid addiction to develop a personal safety or harm reduction plan. This could include:

  • Obtain naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips. All are available free through Summit County Public Health’s website: https://www.scph.org/counseling/mail-order or through the Summit Safe anonymous Harm Reduction clinics at Summit County Public Health's Fairway Center at 1867 W. Market St., on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at 1400 S. Arlington St. No. 28, on Mondays from noon to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

  • Try never to use alone because the risk of a fatal overdose goes up. Have someone you trust nearby or call the National Overdose Prevention Lifeline at 800-484-3731 or the National Crisis Line at 988.

  • Call 911 if there is an overdose. Even if you provide naloxone, the person may need medical attention. Note that a single dose of naloxone may not be enough to fully reverse an overdose and does not work on xylaizine overdoses. The Good Samaritan law provides immunity for drug possession or paraphernalia offenses for both the victim and the person who calls for help.

  • Reach out for help. For a list of resources, call the ADM Board's 24/7 Addiction Helpline at 330-940-1133 or visit https://www.admboard.org/alcohol-drug-addiction-mental-health-services.aspx, https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or https://relink.org/

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Where people are overdosing and dying in Akron Summit County