Overdose Spike Alert 3/6/2025

Kristin Reed, Health Officer, Division of Public Health

This is an Overdose Spike Alert from the Mercer Overdose Surveillance System (MOSS). This system tracks hospital and ambulance overdose data to look for unexpected increases, known as ‘spikes’. In Mercer County, our threshold for overdose spikes is 6 based on historical data collected and calculated by EpiCenter. If a spike is indicated by EpiCenter an alert will be sent out by MOSS. These alerts will give as much detail as possible to help prevent overdose deaths.

• Epi-Center detected an overdose spike between 11pm 3/5/2025 and 11pm 3/6/2025
• 7 suspected overdoses (threshold is 6 overdoses)

Patients were treated at Capital Health Regional Medical Center and Capital Health - East Trenton

4 patients were discharged to home

1 patient was not discharged with a diagnosis code of poisoning by unspecified drugs and intentional self-harm

1 patient was not discharged with a diagnosis code of poisoning by unspecified drugs

1 patient was not discharged with a diagnosis code of altered mental status

What can cause a spike?

• A change in the local drug supply may cause a spike.
• Very strong opioids are being mixed into all types of drugs. This includes heroin, cocaine, counterfeit or fake prescription pills, meth, and cannabis.

Who should sign up for Overdose Spike Alerts?

• People who use drugs
• Friends and family of people who use drugs
• Service providers

What should you do if there is an overdose spike?

For people who use drugs

Take steps for safer drug use:

• Test all drugs for fentanyl before using.
• Carry Narcan® (naloxone)
• Get safer use supplies, including Narcan® from your local pharmacy and fentanyl test strips from harm reduction center Hyacinth AIDS Foundation
• Avoid using street drugs alone; call Never Use Alone at (800) 484-3731.

For everyone in our community

Recognize the signs of an overdose:

• Pale, sweaty or clammy skin
• Lips/fingertips turn blue.
• Slow or irregular breathing: gasping, gurgling, or snoring
• Difficult or unable to wake.
• Always call 911 if you suspect someone is overdosing.
• Treatment and recovery resources

Resources 

Medication Assisted Treatment Resources

Link to medication assisted treatment resources

Full Mercer County Resource Directory 

Link to full resource directory

Hyacinth Foundation

The Hyacinth Foundation offers Syringe Access Programs (SAP), which are community-based programs that provide access to sterile syringes, needles, and other injection equipment and facilitate safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Syringe Access Programs provide a comprehensive approach to harm reduction by integrating behavioral interventions and access to services to prevent and reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. In addition to Syringe Access Programs, Hyacinth provides free and confidential health services, including naloxone training and distribution.     

Naloxone/NARCAN (Opioid Antidote) Training 

The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides an instructional video on the use of Narcan (naloxone) for those looking to learn how to help overdose victims. The site also provides information on free, in-person trainings on how to use Narcan. 

Additional resources for Naloxone (NARCAN) 

Naloxone365: NJ Free Naloxone at Pharmacies Program

Mercer County Library System: Narcan Training and NJ Naloxone Distribution - Mercer County Library System (mcl.org) 

Helplines 

NJ’S 24/7 ADDICTION HELPLINE 1-844-732-2465 

Mercer Council Opioid Overdose Recovery Program 609-651-1623

If you are having thoughts of suicide 

If you need mental health-related crisis support 

If you are worried about someone else 

Please call or text 988 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.