Health alert: Deschutes County warns public about rise in drug overdoses, urges carrying Naloxone

Key Points:

• Deschutes County health officials reported a surge in overdoses linked to suspected adulterated cocaine and/or ketamine, with six cases in 24 hours requiring naloxone administration, suggesting the presence of opioids like fentanyl.
• Individuals who do not regularly use opioids are at heightened risk of overdose due to the potency of even small opioid amounts, which can cause severe respiratory issues, unconsciousness, or death.
• Officials urge community members to recognize overdose symptoms, including pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, slow or no breathing, and cold or discolored skin, and to respond promptly with naloxone, a safe and easy-to-use opioid overdose reversal medication.
• The Deschutes County Harm Reduction Program advises assuming street drugs may contain unknown substances, avoiding multiple substance use, ensuring naloxone availability and knowledge of its administration, and seeking support for substance use challenges.
• Naloxone is available without medical training in nasal spray and injectable forms through local resources such as friendsforlifedeschutes.org and syringe exchange programs, emphasizing its critical role in saving lives during opioid overdoses.