Save the Date: International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31
The Lorain County Opioid Action Team is hosting a vigil in memory of the 143 lives lost to accidental overdose in Lorain County in 2021. Community partners will be there with resource tables for prevention, treatment, recovery support. Free Narcan kits and more will be available. Those in recovery and the families of those who have struggled with addiction will share their stories.
WHERE: Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Rd. N., Elyria, OH 44035
WHEN: Aug. 31 from 5-8 p.m.
Questions? Email Jinx Mastney at jmastney@mharslc.org.
“In 2022, we have seen in Lorain County a number of overdose anomalies – which means there have been a series of unusual spikes in overdoses,” said MHARS Executive Director Michael Doud. “By coming together to remember those who lost their lives to accidental overdose and increasing the awareness of those struggling with substance abuse disorder, we can reduce the stigma, and hopefully, the number of drug-related overdose deaths.”
The event is free and open to the public. Overdose Lifeline trainings are offered for free in Lorain County. These courses are aimed at educating and training the public on the facts of addiction, the opioid crisis, combating stigma, harm reduction, and more. These trainings offer a way to learn about the epidemic and ways to help others struggling with substance use disorder. Addiction is a medical disease that can affect anyone, and it is important for all of us to learn more about it and to remove the stigma surrounding it.
People and communities come together annually to raise awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises – one that, unfortunately, is only getting worse. In 2021, IOAD events of all kinds were held in at least 37 countries.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s most recent World Annual Drug Report, nearly half a million people around the world died as a result of drug use in 2019.
Learn More
Opioid Action Team Distributes 365 Free Narcan Kits at June Pop-Up Events
The Lorain County Opioid Action Team (LCOAT), which includes the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County and Lorain County Public Health (LCPH), held two pop-up clinics in June to distribute life-saving Narcan kits in Elyria and Lorain.
Here is a look at how many double-dose nasal spray Narcan kits were distributed:
- Elyria on June 4-6: 157 kits
- Lorain on June 11-13: 208 kits
- In total, 365 kits were distributed over the two weekends
In addition to distributing the kits, the team trained visitors on how to use the kits. The Narcan kits come in the form of a nasal spray that is easy-to-use and designed to be administered by non-medical personnel. In total, 282 people were trained on how to use the kits.
Anyone who would like a kit but was unable to pick one up at a pop-up clinic is welcome to request that a kit be mailed to them. Get training and submit a kit request at LorainCountyHealth.com/opioids. Visit LCPH at 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria on weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get Narcan training and pick up a Narcan rescue kit. Call 440-322-6367 to make an appointment after hours.
Follow the MHARS Board Facebook page for more info on Narcan distributions.
Learn More