[ad_1]
CINCINNATI – Local health officials issued a public health alert Wednesday because of an overdose in Cincinnati and Hamilton counties.
According to a review by the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition, the number of emergency visits and deaths is likely related to an opioid overdose.
First responders, health care providers, addicts and their families should be aware of the increased risk of overdose, according to the notice.
The officials recommended the following precautions:
- Do not test drugs or injection equipment in the field.
- Have and use the necessary personal protective equipment (including gloves and respiratory protection).
- Carry additional doses of naloxone (Narcan) and give multiple doses as needed.
- Administer naloxone if drug overdose, even if not indicated.
- If you are a user, do not use it alone.
- Avoid mixing drugs (including alcohol) as this increases the risk of overdose.
- Call 911 after each overdose, even if naloxone has been used.
- If you are a user, do not leave the ambulance or the hospital against medical advice after the administration of naloxone to stop the overdose. Naloxone can disappear before opioids disappear and you risk a new overdose.
- For addiction treatment services, call 513-281-7880.
Officials said that they still did not know what could cause the increase in overdoses, but it is likely that the composition of the street drug will change. Health officials in Columbus issued a similar warning on Tuesday.
Naloxone is available over the counter in pharmacies in the region. Free Narcan is also available after a brief training from the Hamilton County Public Health Department.
Source link
