LLCHD Shares Resources as Part of Overdose Awareness Week
Published on August 27, 2024
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) joins community partners in recognizing Overdose Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday, August 31. The Overdose Prevention Coalition, led by LLCHD with other local and state partners, continues to equip the community with the resources and support needed to help prevent substance misuse and provide access to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services.
Recent data from the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) shows a decline in overdoses in Lincoln: 224 in 2021, 163 in 2022, and 157 in 2023. There have been 86 overdoses in 2024. Fatal overdoses included in those totals were 45 in 2021, 34 in 2022, and 39 in 2023. There have been six fatal overdoses in 2024. Autopsy results are still pending in some other investigations.
Nebraska has not experienced the high numbers of overdoses like many other states, but substance use still has a devastating impact on families and individuals in our communities, said David Humm, Health Promotion Manager.
“Collaborative work is occurring throughout the year, but we take this opportunity to emphasize awareness of substance use disorder to help avoid stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery, and strengthen our collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths,” Humm said.
This summer, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services released a new overdose prevention dashboard with statistics and a statewide map of related services. The dashboard outlines various services across Nebraska, such as no-cost naloxone availability, drug take-back sites, medication providers for opioid use disorder, and treatment or recovery services.
Help Save a Life – A resource highlighted on the dashboard is naloxone, which is a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within two to three minutes. There are many ways to obtain naloxone. It can be ordered online by filling out a form and it will be mailed to a residence at no cost. For more information, visit stopodne.com.
Every Day is Take Back Day – Many people do not understand that taking someone else’s prescription medication, even for its intended purpose, is considered misuse. Many people who abuse prescription drugs get them from their friends or relatives. This is why disposing of unused prescription drugs is so important. Overdose Awareness Week is a good reminder to dispose of your leftover medications. To find a disposal site near you, check with your pharmacy or visit nebraskameds.com.
Overdose Awareness and Remembrance Event – The event will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, August 29, at CenterPointe WellBeing Garden, 2202 S.11th St., in Lincoln. The event will feature a recovery speaker with lived overdose experience, a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those lost to overdose, and naloxone training.
The Overdose Prevention Coalition provides consumer and provider education and advocacy through collaborations for reducing stigma, prevention education, and referral to treatment. Residents can learn more about life saving measures and treatment options at lincoln.ne.gov/OD. The coalition is a group led by the LLCHD that includes law enforcement, community members and more than 20 Lincoln organizations.
LPD encourages residents to report overdose cases to law enforcement and become familiar with the Good Samaritan Law (NRS 28-472). Those who request immediate medical assistance for a person overdosing will not be arrested for unlawful drug-related acts connected to the incident.
Those with information about people distributing illegal drugs, especially in cases that led to overdoses, are urged to call the LPD non-emergency number at 402-441-6000, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force at 402-441-8181 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.