Drug overdose is one of the world’s worst public health crises. According to the Oklahoma Department of Health, from 2007 to 2016 opioids were the most common drug involved in overdose deaths in Oklahoma. Fentanyl overdose deaths more than doubled from 47 in 2019 to 127 in 2020.
Fentanyl was involved in nearly half of all opioid-related deaths, compared to 10-20% annually in previous years.
August 31, 2023 is International Overdose Awareness Day. The day was initiated in 2001 by Sally Finn with the Salvation Army in Melbourne Australia.
Today, International Overdose Awareness Day is the largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. It is also about taking real action to save lives.
Overdose is preventable. Learn the real facts about drugs and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose. What are the signs of an overdose? There are several signs and symptoms that differ from the type of drug used. Depressants and Opioids when taken in access can depress normal functions such as breathing and heart rate, the individual may show no response to stimuli, have blue/gray lips and fingertips or floppy arms and legs.
If you see someone who has overdosed, you can administer Naloxone (Narcan) without a prescription in Oklahoma. For information on where to find help and treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, and Naloxone please visit www.okimready.org You can also contact the Beckham County Drug Prevention Coalition to learn more about the efforts happening locally to prevent and decrease Opioid use. To learn about the Coalition, please call 580-562- 5039 and ask for DeShawna.
The Bekcham County Drug Prevention Coalition is funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse, Mental Health Services Administration, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The grant is administered by South Western Oklahoma Development Authority.
Resources: Oklahoma State Department of Health https://oklahoma.gov/health.html International Overdose Awareness Day/ Penington Institute https://www.overdoseday.com/
