Albany, Ga. – The Southwest Health District offers anyone 18 and older a drug called Narcan used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s always available free of charge without a prescription on Wednesdays, 1-5pm, at the Dougherty County Health Department. The week after Christmas week, Narcan will be available Monday through Friday, December 27-31, from 9am to 5pm.

            Whether you are a user or have a friend or loved one known or suspected to be a user, having Narcan on hand during a potential overdose can save lives. We are asking that people be safe this holiday season, and not be alone if they’re using drugs that could potentially cause an overdose. Have Narcan readily available in case of emergency. We also want to let individuals know not to be afraid to call 911 for help.

            More than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period ending April 2021, according to provisional data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here in Dougherty County in 2020, there were 278 drug overdoses, with 27 of those being fatal. This year, local EMS department responded to 180 overdose calls where Narcan was administered, and 17 of those calls were fatal.

Last year, Dougherty County saw a surge of overdoses during the pandemic, including a record high in November and December, with 15 overdoses and two deaths in November, and 37 overdoses and eight deaths in December. Preliminary information indicates the county is on track to surpass those numbers for 2021.

Albany, Ga. – The Southwest Health District offers anyone 18 and older a drug called Narcan used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s always available free of charge without a prescription on Wednesdays, 1-5pm, at the Dougherty County Health Department. The week after Christmas week, Narcan will be available Monday through Friday, December 27-31, from 9am to 5pm.

            Whether you are a user or have a friend or loved one known or suspected to be a user, having Narcan on hand during a potential overdose can save lives. We are asking that people be safe this holiday season, and not be alone if they’re using drugs that could potentially cause an overdose. Have Narcan readily available in case of emergency. We also want to let individuals know not to be afraid to call 911 for help.

            More than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period ending April 2021, according to provisional data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here in Dougherty County in 2020, there were 278 drug overdoses, with 27 of those being fatal. This year, local EMS department responded to 180 overdose calls where Narcan was administered, and 17 of those calls were fatal.

            Last year, Dougherty County saw a surge of overdoses during the pandemic, including a record high in November and December, with 15 overdoses and two deaths in November, and 37 overdoses and eight deaths in December. Preliminary information indicates the county is on track to surpass those numbers for 2021.