Spike in overdoses reported in Marshall County, officials stress Naloxone training

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – After a spike in overdoses around Thanksgiving, a Michiana health department is encouraging people to learn how to use a tool that could save someone’s life.

The Marshall County Health Department says there are usually five to 10 overdoses a week in Marshall County, but the Indiana State Department of Health Overdose Surveillance Team reports between November 24-25, there were seven overdoses.

Officials say this increase is common around the holidays.

The Surveillance for Violent Deaths says the rate of drug overdoses increases significantly during this time of year. Experts say these overdoses are triggered by people trying to deal with the stress brought on by the holidays.

MCHD adds this is a great time for people to learn how to use Naloxone, a drug that quickly reverses an opioid overdose.

“As this holiday season approaches, more people will be going out, more people may be visiting families in places where they may need to respond to an opioid related incident, so we’re wanting the public and first responders or anybody who may be interested to come and have this Narcan,” said MCHD Health Educator Jacob Baylis.

MCHD will host two community trainings to distribute free Naloxone kits and teach people how to spot an overdose. The trainings will take place at the Community Resource Center Conference Room on December 11, 2018 at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

“When you come to a scene, you are the first responder whether there’s police or fire there, you are the first responder,” said Baylis. “Being capable and willing to administer this is very important to saving a person’s life.”

The event will last about an hour and is open to anyone.