NEBRASKA CITY - The 4-County Collaborative is highlighting Overdose Awareness Week Aug. 26 to Aug. 31.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human services say  206 people died of drug overdose in 2022, including 112 that were opioid related, but the collaborative’s Laura Osborne said awareness can help save lives.

Osborne said bringing the topic to the forefront will dispel myths that overdose happens only to frequent users.

She said mental health issues can lead to overdoses as individuals try to self-medicate or attempt suicide.

She said the collaborative region needs to guide people to healthy ways to cope with loneliness, stress and depression.

Osborne: “We need to look out for each other and help others as much as we can by encouraging them to seek out professional help when needed.”

She noted the 988 hotline for a mental health emergency and use of Naloxone to reverse the affects of opioid overdose.

Adult Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade and Refer training is also available.

Here is the organization's press release

 

The 4 County Collaborative is highlighting Overdose Awareness Week August 26 through August 31. 

 

            “We want to bring this topic to the forefront as we work to help people combat addiction,” says Collaborative Coordinator Laura Osborne.  “There are some things that our rural residents can do to be of help.

 

            “First, individuals need to be aware of why overdoses occur,” Osborne continues.  “Overdoses not only happen to those who regularly use substances, they also happen to individuals who are struggling with their mental health causing them to either self-medicate or consider and/or attempt suicide.  Among those who are using substances regularly or even those using substances for the first time, an overdose can happen because many illegal drugs are laced with fentanyl, which is deadly at very low doses.  So those using substances may not intentionally be trying to overdose.  They may believe they are taking a level of drug that has not caused them to overdose in the past, but the unknown presence of fentanyl suddenly puts their life at risk.

 

            “For those overdose situations, it is important for people to know about naloxone as well as knowing how to use it,” Osborne says.  “Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.  There is more than one type of naloxone on the market today, and it is available at participating pharmacies for free!  You can obtain up to 5 packages of naloxone at a time.  Having it immediately on hand is key in preventing opioid-related overdose deaths.”

 

            According to the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 206 people died of a drug overdose in 2022, 112 of which were opioid related.  A family member, friend or other person who is in a position to assist a person who is apparently experiencing or who is likely to experience an opioid-related overdose, other than an emergency responder or peace officer, is protected from criminal prosecution if the person is acting in good faith when administering naloxone to a person who is apparently experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

 

            To determine if an individual may be experiencing an opioid-related overdose, look for these signs and symptoms: 

 

  • A history of current narcotic or opioid use or fentanyl patches on skin or needle in the body.
  • Unresponsive or unconscious individuals.
  • Not breathing or slow/shallow respirations.
  • Snoring or gurgling sounds (due to partial upper airway obstruction).
  • Blue lips and/or nail beds.
  • Pinpoint pupils.
  • Clammy skin.

 

 

            If you believe you need to administer naloxone, first call 911 to get emergency responders on the way.  Then use one of the two devices in a naloxone package and spray into one nostril of the individual.  If there is minimal or no response after 2 to 3 minutes, repeat with the second device in the package into the other nostril.  Monitor the person until professional help arrives.

 

            Educational information about naloxone and referral to treatment options can be found at stopodne.com. 

 

  Another way overdoses can be reduced is to increase access to drug treatment and support programs following incarceration.  “In our rural area of southeast Nebraska, we have a need for more of these types of assistance,” Osborne says.  “We have begun to see endeavors to help in this regard, but hopefully we can see more added in the future.”

 

   Mental health issues can lead to overdoses as individuals try to self-medicate or through suicide attempts.  “We need to help guide people to healthy ways to cope with loneliness, stress, depression and so on,” Osborne says.  “We need to look out for each other and help others as much as we can by encouraging them to seek out professional help when needed.  We can also educate ourselves more about calling 988 for a mental health emergency.  That is the hotline set up as a dedicated mental health emergency line.  It does NOT replace 911, but rather is the number to call instead of 911 for mental health situations.”

 

   Training is also available for those who want to be better equipped to help others as well.  “Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training is available on a regular basis, sometimes in a virtual format,” Osborne says.  “We also want to hear from people who would like to take Youth or Adult Mental Health First Aid or Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training.”

 

            If you are interested in one of these free trainings, contact Laura Osborne at 402-414-2460 or at FourCountyCollaborative@gmail.com.