According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) there were around 100,306 deaths from opioid overdoses in the United States from April of 2020 to April of 2021. This is almost a 30% increase from the previous year. Of those who have died from opioid overdose deaths, minority and disparate populations are the most affected. The drug overdose death rate for Native Americans in 2019 was higher than any other racial or ethnic group with 30 deaths per 100,000 people. Individuals with a lower socioeconomic level also had increased rates of overdose deaths. This includes people living in poverty, without health insurance, and incarcerated individuals. These deaths were a result of illegal and prescription opioid medications.
One of the measures SAMHSA is taking to help reduce opioid overdose deaths is the distribution of Naloxone kits. Naloxone is a medication that can be used to quickly reverse an overdose caused by oxycodone, morphine, heroin, or other opioids. Emergency medical attention is still required after administering Naloxone, and you should call 911 immediately. However, Naloxone can help save a life while waiting on emergency services. SAMHSA reports the use of Naloxone has reversed over 65,000 overdoses since 2017. Other steps to prevent overdose deaths include: not mixing medications with alcohol or illicit substances, do not take someone else’s medications, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take the medication, properly store medications to keep them out of reach of children and teens, and dispose of medications that are unneeded or expired.
If you have opioids in your home, you should also have a Naloxone kit. To obtain a kit speak with your local pharmacy or visit www.okimready.org/overdose/ to get a kit mailed to you. If you would like more information on other measures you can take to prevent opioid overdoses or would like to become involved in the Creek County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, please email Margaret.black@okstate.edu.