Learn how to save lives in your community this International Overdose Awareness Day

Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 08/30/2024 10:35 AM PDT

Aug. 30, 2024

Learn how to save lives in your community this International Overdose Awareness Day

Kitsap County, like the rest of the nation, has seen an increase in drug overdoses in the last several years.

Powerful opioid drugs, including fentanyl, have contributed to a rise in drug-related deaths. Eighty Kitsap residents died from drug overdose in 2023, according to early data from the state Department of Health.

International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 is an opportunity to remember those we have lost to drug overdoses and to take steps to save lives. You can help by learning how to respond to overdoses and by sharing substance use prevention and recovery resources with friends and family.

OVERDOSES IN KITSAP

An overdose happens when a person has more of a drug (or multiple drugs) in their body than their body can tolerate. It’s possible to overdose on all types of drugs, including prescription medications and illegal drugs.

Drug-related poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death in Kitsap County. Opioid drugs like fentanyl are involved in the majority of overdose deaths. The rate of fatal drug overdoses in Kitsap more than doubled from 2016 to 2023.

You can learn more about local drug overdose trends by visiting a new Drug Overdoses in Kitsap County data dashboard compiled by our epidemiologists.

Kitsap Public Health works with partners to reduce substance use, prevent overdoses, and support recovery for people with substance use disorder. Our Substance Use Prevention & Response (SUPR) team offers community resources like overdose prevention and response trainings. The SUPR team also hosts information sessions to increase knowledge and reduce stigma around substance use and addiction.

Learn more by emailing cdp@kitsappublichealth.org.

FINDING HELP FOR SUBSTANCE USE

Recovery from substance use is possible for everyone. You can find support by:

Calling the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1-866-789-1511
Calling the University of Washington Telebup Program Hotline at 206-289-0287
Visiting Salish Behavioral Health website

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 or call 1-888-910-0416. These crisis hotlines are available 24 hours a day.

If someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. 

YOU CAN HELP PREVENT OVERDOSES

If you use drugs:
- Assume any pill or powder that is not from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl.
- Avoid use using drugs alone. If you do use alone, call the Never Use Alone Lifeline at 1-800-484-3731.

Know the signs of an opioid overdose, including:
- The inability to wake up
- Irregular, slow or no breathing
- Blue, gray, or ashy skin, lips, or fingernails
- Other types of drug overdose may have different symptoms. Learn more here.
Carry naloxone:
- Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe and easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Anyone can get naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription. Call ahead to check availability.
- If you can’t get naloxone at a pharmacy, you can have it mailed to your home.
- See a map of where to find naloxone in our region.
If you think someone has overdosed:
- Try to wake them by shaking them and shouting their name.
- Call 911.
- Give naloxone. Give one dose and wait two to three minutes to see if they start breathing normally again. If not, give a second dose. You will not hurt someone by giving them naloxone.
- Start rescue breathing (or CPR).
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
It is safe to help:
- The risk of overdosing from touching fentanyl or inhaling dust containing fentanyl is extremely low.
- Under the Good Samaritan law, neither the victim nor the person assisting with an overdose can be prosecuted for drug possession.
If you have medications in your home:
- Store medications in a safe place out of reach of children.
- Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications. Find drop off locations at medtakebackwashington.org or by calling (844) 482-5322.

RESOURCES

International Overdose Awareness Day’s Overdose Basics guide
Washington State Health Care Authority’s Friends For Life campaign
Kitsap Public Health’s Substance Use Prevention & Response page
Kitsap Public Health’s Drug Overdose in Kitsap County data dashboard
MedTakeBackWashington’s Safe Medication Return Locator

MEDIA CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org

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Email or call 360-728-2235

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