Typically, the city sees between 10 and 15 nonfatal overdose cases in a week, but Kevin Hall with the Health Department says recently there were 24 suspected cases within three days.
“It's a reason to go ahead and let people know that this is happening. This is an emergency situation and take steps to protect yourself or those that you know who use illegal drugs,” Hall said.
Hall said as of Monday they can’t pinpoint the exact drug that has caused the spike in cases but believes fentanyl is involved.
“You're seeing a lot of these drugs that are laced with fentanyl." Hall adds "Fentanyl is very dangerous, but again, that's the importance of carrying the naloxone. It is used to treat opioid overdoses. You can use it on someone who has passed out. Perhaps they are just unconscious for any number of reasons, and it won't harm them. Anyone can use it. It's simple, it's effective. It's free through the health department.”
The free kits are available through the Lexington Fayette County Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program.
Learn more information on naloxone training and free kits, or bring kits to your organization by visiting www.lfchd.org/harmreduction.
