A Bright Spot in the Fight Against Fentanyl

There’s good news for communities fighting the good fight against drug overdoses—deaths due to overdose have decreased slightly, in Ashland County and across the country.

According to The New York Times daily newsletter, there are two main reasons for this downward trend. The first is that drug epidemics tend to run their course over time, from first entering the market, spreading, and then eventually fading away. It looks like the opioid epidemic may have entered that last stage.

The other contributing factor to the decline in overdoses is access to Narcan and addiction treatment.

The Cycle of Drug Epidemics

Drug epidemics tend to be faddish. As overdoses rise, “People see the damage that a drug does, and they shun it. Surviving users move on to other drugs that they see as better or safer, sometimes incorrectly,” writes German Lopez. 

The opiate epidemic fad has had more like three phases—prescription opiates, then heroin, and then fentanyl—which have overlapped and combined into one huge problem.

Thankfully, that fad seems to be wearing off.

Fads, even unhealthy ones, can come back into fashion. As new or different temptations and addictions rise in our communities, ACCADA will never stop working to try to save lives in Ashland County.

Narcan and Addiction Treatment Saves Lives

Policy changes at the national level have contributed to the decline in overdose deaths as well. Funding for addiction treatment has been made available, both through Medicaid and laws across the country to support recovery. A significant effort has also been made to promote Narcan, the treatment that reverses opioid overdoses.

Here in Ashland County, police officers and other first responders carry and administer Narcan. More and more public places like schools and libraries have Narcan readily available to be able to treat someone who overdoses. People can even request it for free from area pharmacies, ACCADA, Appleseed Mental Health Center, and the county health department.

Let’s Keep the Downward Trend Going

While we’re celebrating the decline in deaths due to opioids, the fight to save lives from overdoses is not over. 

ACCADA and other area partners continue to work hard to make sure Narcan is readily available to those who need it, connect users to the recovery resources they need to heal from substance use, and educate the public about the dangers of opioids to prevent their use in the first place.

Connect with ACCADA to learn more about Narcan and how you can save lives in Ashland County.