Guest Author
100,000. That’s the number of people who fill large college football stadiums on game day. It’s also the number of Americans who die of a drug overdose every year. Tragically, the vast majority of those deaths are due to fentanyl, and almost all can be avoided.
Aug. 31 is National Overdose Awareness Day — a day for advocates to come together and raise awareness of the fact that overdose deaths are preventable. It is a day when families and individuals are encouraged to check in on someone who has been impacted by substance use, encourage someone struggling to reach out for help, and offer support to someone who has lost a loved one due to an overdose.
Although Florida is seeing drug-related deaths decline, we need to remain vigilant in battling the overdose epidemic. One life lost to an overdose is one too many.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement interim report, in the first six months of 2023, Florida experienced a:
— 7% decrease in total drug-related deaths.
— 10% decrease in deaths caused by fentanyl.
— 10% decrease in opioid-caused deaths.
The Florida Behavioral Health Association and its 70-plus community mental health and substance use providers stand ready to help Floridians who may be struggling and who need to be connected with services.
Prevention, education and treatment are key to ending this epidemic. We also know that increasing access to lifesaving medicines, such as Naloxone reduces overdose deaths. Naloxone is a powerful tool used to revive someone who has stopped breathing due to an opioid overdose. There are local distribution centers in most communities where free kits are available.
In addition, a majority of local Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) offer free Naloxone education classes.
Thankfully, many law enforcement officers as well as EMS first responders now carry Naloxone. But anyone, regardless of professional training, can help prevent an overdose death. Learn the signs of a drug overdose — nausea and vomiting, cold and clammy skin, as well as blue-colored lips and reduced or loss of consciousness.
If you see someone exhibiting these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
We can end drug overdoses by helping people get the treatment they need. Florida Behavioral Health Association community providers have resources available and trained professionals who want to help end the opioid epidemic. Join us as we strive to end the overdose epidemic. If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, there is help available. The Florida Department of Children and Families developed isavefl.com to help connect Floridians with overdose prevention information. In addition, the Attorney General created and launched a one-stop shop, DoseofRealityFL.com.
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Melanie Brown-Woofter is the President and CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association.
2 comments
Homer J Simpson
September 7, 2024 at 3:47 am
Ok, this is good…but what really breaks my heart is when I hear folks that encounter their od’d loved one as they r gurgling for breath and say, “there was nothing I could do…”…well, I hate to say it, actually there was. Many moons ago I received training to rescue a high number of drowning victims in deep water, sometimes opaque. But an opioid overdose presents very much like a drowning victim. More precisely, they have a pulse but no breathing. Infact they will die from asphyxiation because the nerve impulse that tells their diaphragm to move downward and thus draw air into the lungs has been “retarded”. U don’t want to give them CPR because performing chest compressions on a victim with a pulse, very bad. A no no. However u can perform a modified version of this life saving technique used for drowning victims.
I’m not a doctor but I play one on tv, but seriously, not responsible nor do I recommend anyone do the following procedures on anyone unless specifically trained to do so.
Ok, the modified technique is called “rescue breathing” and it is actually perfect to use in a situation where narcan may not be available. And waiting for the medics to arrive with some…may be too late. The only claim I make is I have personally saved 5 people using this technique when narcan was unavailable.
So first, take a CPR class, they r usually free and u will know what I’m talking about.
Alright so ur friend or ur kid suddenly stops talking, gets this weird look on their face, their lips turn blue (key sign of o2 deprivation) and they fall over. What do u do?
Well whatever u do, don’t panic. Panic kills as sure as a bullet. Remember ur training and if ur winging this, throw some salt over ur shoulder.
You lay the victim flat on their back on a level surface. Assess ur ABC’s, that’s fancy talk for checking their airway to be sure it’s not obstructed, and open and wether or not they have a pulse.. If they aren’t choking on a big steak, or something, place ur hand on their forehead, and tilt their head back while gently lifting on the back of their neck. This opens the airway. If ur an actual witness to what happened, u prolly know more of what’s going on than if u just stumbled across an unconscious victim. Place ur mouth over theirs making a seal and give a short puff, a short test breath to make sure the airway is open. If it doesent go in, u must reposition the victims head so it is open. Oh and by the way, u should have checked and verified they have a pulse…now, place ur mouth back into the “puff” position, inhale deeply thru ur nose, pinch their nose closed and exhale out ur mouth into the victim. U should see their chest rise as if they were breathing. Release their nose so they exhale the air. Repeat. Keep a deliberate pace that mimics natural breathing timing as close as u can. Remember, u are giving them once exhaled air and u absolutely do not want to rebeeath the air from you to them and back to u and so on. If u are preforming this technique correctly, u will observe their lips will turn from blue back to a more natural shade. U are now breathing for them and as long as u keep up, u prevent brain damage and death. The diaphragm can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to regain its normal impulse to breathe. At first they may gurgle a little, put ur ear to their mouth and assess their breathing. I’m pretty sure u cannot harm a person with rescue breathing whether they r breathing or not. So watch their lips. And somewhere towards the beginning, summoning the paramedics, not a bad idea. Just remember every second ur not giving them ur breath, is a second too long. Quick, cool response on ur part is key to success and maybe even save a friend, a loved one, or a complete stranger.
I saved 100’s of drowning victims many moons ago, CPR and Rescue Breathing work. Hope this helps someone.
—Homer
Ps: apologies for the lengthy reply.
Homer J Simpson
September 7, 2024 at 4:12 am
Ya know, that could have helped someone. What a wonderful person u must be.
No sweat off my rear end as I enjoyed recalling that procedure. Practice makes perfect. See ya..:.chump.
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