County partnership addresses the dangers of opioids
Daron Ryan of the HRC Health Dept. and Belinda Ballah of the HRC Prevention Dept.
A year ago, the Hood River County Health Department and Hood River Prevention Department partnered to offer naloxone prevention training in the County. In the last year, around 600 community members have been trained on how to prevent opioid overdoses.
“Opioid Overdose Response Training,” as the program is called, has been developed by Belinda Ballah of the HRC Prevention Dept. and Daron Ryan of the HRC Health Dept., and is offered in both English and Spanish. To date, 30 organizations have participated in these trainings including small and large employers, social services groups, and service clubs.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid currently present in our region, is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fake pills sold illegally are often laced with the opioid fentanyl, and even “small” doses, as low as two milligrams, are lethal. The Oregon Health Authority counts the number of individuals who died from an unintentional fentanyl overdose more than tripled from 2020 to 2022, for a total of 839 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2022. Unfortunately, this trend is expected to continue, as Oregon sees increases in accidental overdose deaths due to fentanyl. The State is currently compiling 2023 statistics.
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose, including OxyContin, heroin, and fentanyl. Naloxone is a nasal spray that can be stored at room temperature for up to 36 months. While it will not reverse an overdose of non-opioid drugs, opioids are often cut into other drugs like meth, ecstasy, Tranq, and others. So, if you think a person may be overdosing on opioids, it may help to give them naloxone.
The program has begun installing NaloxBox Rescue Stations around town.
In addition to offering free community training and outreach kits, the program has begun installing NaloxBox Rescue Stations around town. The first Naloxbox has been installed at the HRC Health Department in the June Street entrance. This allows for this important medication to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to community members.
Opioid overdose reversal medication (like naloxone) can be found in the following locations: the Health Department at 1109 June Street, Hood River; the Prevention Dept. at the Hood River County Courthouse, 309 State Street in Hood River; and at various local pharmacies.
HRC Prevention Department and HRC Health Department are working to ensure that opioid overdose reversal medication is widely accessible so our community can take action to prevent opioid overdoses. “A driving factor of this work is to destigmatize opioid dependency in our community and to acknowledge that there are many paths that may lead someone to an overdose,” explained Prevention Director Belinda Ballah.
Signs of an Opioid Overdose may include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Gurgling and/or snoring
- Unresponsiveness
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Constricted pupil
- Inability to wake up
- Slow heart rate and low blood pressure
- Bluish lips or fingers
If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately; administer naloxone if available; and perform rescue breaths (CPR).
In Oregon, the "Good Samaritan Law" ensures that if you seek help by calling 911 for an overdose, you will not be arrested or prosecuted for:
- Possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Being in a place where drugs are being used
- Violating probation or parole because of #1 or #2
- Having outstanding warrants related to #1 or #2
Please contact Daron or Belinda to schedule a training or for more information.
For more information about local resources for preventing substance abuse, visit hoodriverprevents.com. If you would like to arrange an Opioid Overdose Response Training or would like to know more about administering naloxone to prevent opioid overdoses, contact the Hood River County Health Dept. at 541-386-1115 or the Hood River County Prevention Department at 541-386-2500.