Moment of silence today for overdose victims
Dayton and Montgomery County residents are encouraged by the Community Overdose Action Team to pause for a moment of silence at noon today , to remember those who have lost their lives to drug overdose and addiction.
During 2019, suspected overdoses took an estimated 4,100 lives inOhio, including 285 inMontgomery County.
International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdose in our community, according to a statement from the CommunityOverdoseAction Team, which said overdose is preventable and knowing the real facts about drugs and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose does save lives.
To recognize the day, Montgomery County and the City of Daytonwill both be issuing proclamations. And that evening, theMontgomery County Administration Building and the City of Dayton’s I-75, Monument, Fifth St, Stewart St. andWebster St. bridges will be illuminated in purple.
“We have seen a steady increase of overdoses during the current COVID-19 pandemic but there is hope,” said Jeff Cooper Montgomery County Health Commissioner. “With the support and encouragement of family members, loved ones and members of the community, thosewho face addiction can find the help they need.”
“Addiction recovery is a process that continues for a lifetime. Treatmentworks and people recover. It is important for everyone to knowthat. No one has to be alone in their fight for recovery. It is important to reach out for help, which is available in many various ways to gain support and guidance in their journey,” said ADAMHSExecutive Director Helen Jones-Kelley.
Through July of this year, 201 people died from suspected overdoses in the county, up 30% from 154 deaths reported last year during the same period, the Dayton Daily News previously reported. Overdoses continued to rise statewide last year but had leveled off inMontgomery County the past two years after peaking in 2017 when 566 people died. While overdose deaths were already on the increase this year — up 22% in January and February — they rose 33% since March when compared to last year.
Ifsomeoneis experiencing stress or anxiety they can call the Miami ValleyWarmline at 937-528-7777, Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., for free and confidentialmental and behavioral health peer support services.
For access to immediate help 24/7, the public can call SamaritanBehavioralHealth Crisis Care at (937) 224-4646 for linkage to treatment and care options.
Another resource that is available is the GetHelpNow Montgomery County app that provides information about mental health and addiction services in Montgomery County.
TheCommunityOverdose ActionTeamwas established to address the opioid and heroin epidemic in Montgomery County. The goal is to reduce the number of fataloverdoses. Montgomery County Alcohol, DrugAddiction& MentalHealth Services and Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County are lead agencies in the effort to combat the epidemic.