Press Release - 081224 - Health Alert - Spike in overdoses.pdf

HEALTH ALERT: Five Reno County overdoses, one fatality in 24 hours

The purpose of this Health Alert is to inform the community about a recent unusual spike in overdoses. There were five overdoses within a 24-hour period, one of which was fatal. The overdoses are suspected to involve primarily methamphetamine, as well as opioids and fentanyl.

The Reno County Health Department has been tracking overdoses and trends since Oct. 1 of 2020. Methamphetamine is an illegal stimulant that can cause a host of adverse health outcomes. While naloxone (Narcan) is not effective for stimulants, we still strongly encourage everyone to carry naloxone and be trained in how to use it due to the unsafe and toxic drug supply that includes the presence of fentanyl and the suspicion of xylazine. Please contact the Reno County Health Department for education on these varying and emerging community health issues at 620-694-2900.

Recovery is possible. There are many pathways to recovery. If you are reading this and you or your loved one is experiencing chaotic substance use, please use the resources below. Recovery doesn’t have to look a certain way, and our community wants to offer its hand to help.

The Reno Recovery Collaborative recommends the following steps and strategies for our community:
• Naloxone (Narcan) education, trainings, and availability https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-program/
• Encourage more people to carry naloxone (Narcan). A free naloxone vending machine is located at 400 W. Second Avenue in Hutchinson.
• Encourage members of our community who use substances to never use alone
• Check in on friends or family regularly that use substances. 

For information, education, and specific activities on substance use, or if you want to get involved in the Reno Recovery Collaborative, please contact Thomas Simmons at thomas.simmons@renocountyks.gov . 
Information on what to look for with over amping on methamphetamine, as well as how to respond is found at https://stopoverdose.org/basics/methamphetamine-overdose-overamping/

Reno County Treatment Resources:
Kansas Recovery Network: Harm Reduction services, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, etc. and peer navigation https://hutchinsonnarcan.8b.io/ 

Crossover Recovery: 620-669-9024, SACK Detox Unit: 620-259-2063, BreakThru: 620-218-0636

Recovery Response Team: 620-663-7595, Crisis Line: 1-800-794-0163

Reno ASAP Alcohol and Drug Services: 620-665-6446

Horizons Mental Health: 620-663-7595, website: http://www.hutchregional.com/locations-services/horizons-mental-health-center 

PrairieStar Health Center - phone: 620-663-8484, Website: https://www.prairiestarhealth.org 

All these resources and other support groups can be found at www.renorecoveryks.com  

State and National Treatment Resources:
Find a treatment facility: https://findtreatment.gov/ , National treatment line: 1-800-662-4357

Never Use Alone Hotline: 1-800-484-3731

Kansas Substance Use Disorder Treatment Referral line: 1-866-645-8216