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Vermont Business Magazine As a result of several apparent overdose deaths in Rutland County and other overdose incidents in Vermont, every 72 hours, state health officials warn people who use street drugs stunner drug naloxone (Narcan®) on hand.
"If you use illicit drugs or know someone who does, do everything you can to prevent an accidental death," said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. "The most important thing is to stay alive. Our message to users is simple: you can not know what drugs are on the street. If you use, please use less, do not use alone, have Narcan available and call 911 if someone is not waking up or is in distress. "
According to reports from health and law enforcement, at least two deaths involved people who inhaled drugs. Although investigators still can not say with certainty which drugs are involved, the Department of Health can confirm that cocaine associated with fentanyl has been a cause of death in the state. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is currently performing autopsies. The results of the toxicological tests are pending.
"Be aware of the current danger there," said Dr. Levine. "We are concerned that fentanyl is currently mixed with various illegal substances, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. This broadens an already difficult problem. According to data from the Department of Health, illicit fentanyl is involved in two-thirds of all opiate-related deaths. Cocaine is present in one-third of accidental and indeterminate opioid-related deaths.
"We are doing everything in our power to help people find the care and treatment they need and want to recover from a substance-related disorder, but this can only happen if you are life, "said Dr. Levine.
If you use street drugs, the Department of Health recommends:
- Do not use alone – ask someone to give you naloxone and dial 9-1-1 to save your life.
- Use one medicine at a time.
- Reduce the amount you use at the same time.
- Do not mix heroin with alcohol or benzodiazepines.
- Test the strength of the medication before using the total amount.
- Inject less if you feel too strong.
The Department of Health is continuing its work to equip citizens and emergency responders with emergency overdose kits containing naloxone as part of its drug overdose prevention program. ; opioids.
For more information on the naloxone and Vermont opioid overdose prevention programvisit healthvermont.gov/response/
Summary of data on opioid-related deaths:
healthvermont.gov/sites/
For health news, alerts and information – visit healthvermont.gov
Source: Department of Health 9.12.2018
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