The Douglas Public Health Network has issued an ALERT for fatal and non-fatal illicit opioid overdoses in Douglas County.
Christin Rutledge, Program Manager for DPHN, said the alert is being issued based on a sharp spike of overdoses occurring with the past 24-72 hours as of Tuesday afternoon. Rutledge said the spike has occurred in hospital emergency department admissions, and law enforcement and emergency services response and deployment of Narcan.
Rutledge said the current heroin in the community is particularly potent or may be laced with fentanyl and is an immediate risk to those actively using illicit opioids. Other drugs like methamphetamine may be laced with fentanyl as well.
The alert is encouraging people who use illicit opioids such as heroin, to abstain from using the drug and seek assistance through drug treatment or medication-assisted treatment. Those who have not used in a while may relapse and are at increased risk of an overdose. Users should be aware of their tolerance and reduce the amount they might normally use.
The alert said users should have an overdose plan and make sure someone can get to them if they use.
Naloxone can counter the effects of opioid overdose. Free naloxone is available through the HIV Alliance syringe exchange at 647 West Luellen Drive, Suite 103 in Roseburg. That office is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Any pharmacist in Oregon can prescribe naloxone as well. Those who can prescribe medication can also send a naloxone prescription to any pharmacy.
Rutledge said it is important to call 911 when someone is overdosing from opioids. The effects of naloxone are temporary and the person still needs medical attention. After the medication wears off, the person could fall back into a coma.
Oregon’s Good Samaritan Law protects people from being arrested or prosecuted for drug-related charges or parole/probation violations based on information provided to emergency responders.
Contact Douglas Public Health Network for more information.