ONEIDA, N.Y. — Law enforcement and public health officials in Madison and Oneida counties joined other civic organizations nationwide and worldwide on Thursday to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. Organizers of the event say it’s a time to remember those lost to overdose, acknowledge the grief of loved ones left behind, and work to end overdose injury and death.
Madison County officials say the 2021 annual overdose death rate in Madison County was 19.8 per 100,000 people. The county observed an increase in overdose death rate to date between 2019 and 2021, 5.6 to 19.8 per 100,000. This rate remains lower than surrounding CNY counties.
As of 2021, there were 398 opioid analgesic prescriptions per 1,000 Madison County residents. Madison County ranks third among state counties for opioid prescription rates.
Several local organizations are confronting the issue. Oneida hosted events at City Hall and Higinbotham Park to raise awareness, and hope, regarding drug abuse.
“A stigma exists about drug abuse,” Kerry Madison, a substance use disorder clinician with Family & Children’s Counseling Services in Oneida, said. “Usually if someone is sick they just go to the doctor. Too many people are ashamed about their drug problem. We offer substance and mental health counseling that is confidential. Addiction issues often arise as an escape from mental health problems. We can address both of them.”
Madison’s group has joined other groups to get practical help with counseling. That help includes Narcan kits that have been made available to those who use drugs. Narcan is administered as a nasal spray to those experiencing an overdose.
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, including fentanyl. If the substance is unknown, naloxone should always be provided as it cannot cause harm to an individual.
Madison explained Narcan’s use.
“First, you call 9-1-1,” she said. “Then you spray one dose into a nostril. Place the person on their side in the rescue position. wait and see if there’s a response. If there is no response then try the other spray on the other nostril.”
Narcan spray is used in instances of an overdose. The following are signs of an overdose:
– a person is passed out and cannot be woken up.
– they are not breathing, breathing very slowly, or making gurgling sounds.
– their lips are a blue or grayish color.
According to the New York State Department of Health, the New York State 911 Good Samaritan Law allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest if they are having a drug or alcohol overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.
“We want people to know it’s okay to get help in an emergency,” Family & Children’s Counseling Services Regional Director Kaitlin Jones said.
The Good Samaritan law protects against the following charges:
– Possessing controlled substances up to and including A2 felony offense, or anything under eight ounces.
– Possessing alcohol where underage drinking is involved.
– Possessing any quantity of marijuana.
– Possessing drug paraphernalia.
– Sharing drugs.
The law does not guard against the following:
– A1 felony possession of a controlled substance, eight ounces or more.
– Sale or intent to sell controlled substances.
– Open arrest warrants.
– Violation of probation or parole.
Pastor Terry Brown of Oneida Baptist Church joined several other area churches to promote spiritual answers to the drug use problem.
“People often use drugs as an escape from their problems. But God is bigger than their past. He will meet them where they’re at,” Brown said.
Oneida County announced its “All of Us Oneida” anti-stigma campaign as part of a special event hosted by the Opioid Task Force in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.
That campaign announcement was made as part of the Oneida County Opioid Task Force’s Overdose Awareness Day event in which Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. was joined by fellow Task Force co-chairs, District Attorney Scott McNamara and Sheriff Robert Maciol, as well as other key partners who gave updates and presentations on the group’s continued efforts.
“The stigma surrounding addiction is problematic on many levels,” McNamara said. “That stigma prevents drug users from admitting they have a problem and can cause a barrier to my office directing them through the criminal justice system in the most beneficial way. When we can overcome that stigma, we can get them into Drug Court, which is a huge help in getting people on the road to recovery.”
Several local resources for treatment and recovery are available. They include:
The Partnership to End Addiction, or EndOD, is a national overdose prevention program available in Madison County. Anyone can sign up by texting ENDODNY to 55753.
The goal of EndOD is to prevent overdose deaths by empowering people who use substances and their loved ones with the knowledge of signs of overdose, resources to reduce harm, and options for treatment.
They may also text ALERT to 55753 to sign up for real-time updates on overdose spikes in our community. These alerts serve as an early warning signal that can help to save lives.
In Madison County, contact BRiDGES at 315-697-3947 for NARCAN training and kits, safe medication disposal, and fentanyl test trips.
– Madison County Mental Health, 315-366-2327 or https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/390/Mental-Health
BRiDGES, https://bridgescouncil.org/ or 315-697-3947Central Region Addiction Resource Center, https://cr-arc.org/
– Family Counseling Services, 315-280-0400 or https://fcscortland.org/
– Pathways Wellness Center, 855-387-3030 or https://www.facebook.com/PathwaysMadisonCounty/
– Helio Health, 315-471-1564 or https://www.helio.health/
– Liberty Resources, https://www.liberty-resources.org/behavioral-health/Crisis Services: 315-251-0800
In Oneida County, a new overdose awareness campaign marketing the availability of naloxone and fentanyl test strips was also revealed at the Overdose Awareness Day event. In just over one year, the Task Force has distributed more than 1,800 naloxone kits and more than 240 naloxone cabinets through its “Save-a-Life” program, as well as 1,100 fentanyl test strips.
Thousands of Deterra Drug Deactivation bags have also been distributed to the public so they can safely and permanently deactivate, destroy and dispose of prescription medications in the convenience of their homes.
A new 24/7 access public health kiosk installed by the Task Force at the Giotto Center at 1002 Oswego Street in Utica has seen 343 visits since coming online in mid-May. During that time, 59 doses of Narcan, 38 fentanyl test strips, 46 wound care kits and 32 COVID-19 test kits have been distributed.
For data, reports and more information on the services provided by the Oneida County Opioid Task Force, including how to receive free Narcan-by-Mail, please visit: https://www.ocopioidtaskforce.org/.
People who use drugs and their loved ones can access treatment and recovery services by calling 211. The Never Use Alone Hotline can be reached at 1-800-484-3731.
– New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, https://oasas.ny.gov/HOPEline Services: Call or text 1-877-846-7369. Available 24/7. Toll-free and confidential.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
