Drug overdoses spike for third consecutive weekend

Emergency departments reported 10 overdoses on May 14

An increase in opioid-related overdoses marked the third weekend in a row with the latest number reaching 10 cases, according to Lorain County officials.

On May 14, 10 overdoses were reported; on May 7, nine overdoses were reported; and on May 1, eight overdoses were reported, according to a news release from the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Those cases are only the ones that are reported to the Lorain County Public Health via other agencies, according to county officials.

Those that go unreported include an unknown population of people who are overdosing at home and being revived by family or friends, officials said.

“This is the third anomaly in three weeks, compared to five total anomalies from May 2021 to present,” according to a news release from Lorain County Public Health.

Fentanyl warning

“If you are using drugs that are not from a pharmacy, do not use alone, and have Narcan with you,” said Lorain County Public Health Commissioner Mark Adams. “Street drugs and any drugs not prescribed to you may contain deadly amounts of fentanyl — fake pills sold as Adderall, Xanax, and oxycodone.

“Fentanyl is being mixed with all street drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid that you can’t see, smell or taste.”

The latest significant increase or drug anomaly alert on May 14 occurred within a span of 24 hours, the release from MHARS stated.

“This includes five females and five males: three under the age of 29, two between 30 and 39 years old, one person between 40 and 49 years old and four over the age of 50 years old,” according to the release.

The unusually high increase reflects the number of drug overdose visits to emergency rooms, the release stated.

As of early morning March 16, the Lorain County Coroner’s Office had seven open death investigations, according to a spokesperson from the office.

The spokesperson wouldn’t confirm whether the death cases specifically were drug-related.

Typically, the Coroner’s Office conducts a multitude of investigatory steps before making a ruling in a death case that isn’t deemed natural causes.

Public officials caution the members of the public who are actively struggling with substance use disorder.

Some of the resources available for those who wish to seek help can explore the following options:

• A nonemergency bilingual Navigator is available with treatment and other resource information at 440-240-7025.

• The Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1-800-8886161.

• Narcan rescue kits are available for free at the Lorain County Public Health Department, 9880 S. Murray Ridge Road in Elyria.

• The Harm Reduction Clinic at The Nord Center, 3150 Clifton Ave. in Lorain, is available for a variety of services such as needle exchange, obtain fentanyl strips and opt in to other services.

“Addiction is a treatable, chronic disorder that can be managed successfully,” according to the release from the MHARS Board. “Research shows that combining behavioral therapy with medications, if available, is the best way to ensure success for most patients.

“The combination of medications and behavioral interventions to treat a substance use disorder is known as medicationassisted treatment. Treatment approaches must be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, psychiatric, environmental and social problems.”