Safety director warns of uptick in overdoses
Wadsworth provides overdose numbers for last several years
Graphic by MICHELLE FARNHAM
WADSWORTH – Overdoses related to heroin, opiates and other narcotics continues to be a point of concern for local safety officials.
Safety Director Matt Hiscock recently released information regarding overdoses in Wadsworth within the last several years.
He also pointed out April 26 that there had been six to seven overdoses documented in Wadsworth over the previous week.
“I don’t have any hard evidence to point to, but in the past when we see an increase in the frequency of overdoses it commonly points to a bad batch of drugs in the area,” he said.
Hiscock said these overdose spikes often occur when users are unaware of the quantity they are receiving or what might be mixed in with the drugs they are taking.
Hiscock said he would recommend to anyone who has a loved one suffering with addiction to contact the Medina County Health Department to receive Project Dawn training.
Participants learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and also how to administer Naloxone, a substance used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
“It is also a good idea to warn people what you have heard regarding bad drugs in the area. That could be a deterrent,” he said.
Overdose numbers in Wadsworth have risen sharply in the last several years.
In 2012 there were 11 total OD cases with 12 victims and three OD deaths. The number decreased slightly in 2013 with nine cases, nine victims and one death. In 2014 there were 23 cases with 23 victims and four deaths.
There were 42 cases with 42 victims and six deaths in 2015 and 67 cases with 68 victims and five deaths in 2016.
So far in 2017 there have been 16 cases with 16 victims and one death.
Wadsworth EMS personnel carry Naloxone and local police officers now carry it as well.
Naloxone use saved four individuals in 2014, 14 in 2015, 46 in 2016 and 12 so far in 2017.
While some overdose cases have involved juveniles, the cases largely include adult victims.
The average adult age of overdose victims in 2016 was 31 years old.
Safety Director Matt Hiscock recently released information regarding overdoses in Wadsworth within the last several years.
He also pointed out April 26 that there had been six to seven overdoses documented in Wadsworth over the previous week.
“I don’t have any hard evidence to point to, but in the past when we see an increase in the frequency of overdoses it commonly points to a bad batch of drugs in the area,” he said.
Hiscock said these overdose spikes often occur when users are unaware of the quantity they are receiving or what might be mixed in with the drugs they are taking.
Hiscock said he would recommend to anyone who has a loved one suffering with addiction to contact the Medina County Health Department to receive Project Dawn training.
Participants learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and also how to administer Naloxone, a substance used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
“It is also a good idea to warn people what you have heard regarding bad drugs in the area. That could be a deterrent,” he said.
Overdose numbers in Wadsworth have risen sharply in the last several years.
In 2012 there were 11 total OD cases with 12 victims and three OD deaths. The number decreased slightly in 2013 with nine cases, nine victims and one death. In 2014 there were 23 cases with 23 victims and four deaths.
There were 42 cases with 42 victims and six deaths in 2015 and 67 cases with 68 victims and five deaths in 2016.
So far in 2017 there have been 16 cases with 16 victims and one death.
Wadsworth EMS personnel carry Naloxone and local police officers now carry it as well.
Naloxone use saved four individuals in 2014, 14 in 2015, 46 in 2016 and 12 so far in 2017.
While some overdose cases have involved juveniles, the cases largely include adult victims.
The average adult age of overdose victims in 2016 was 31 years old.
