The Reno County Health Department has issued a health alert to call attention to a recent increase in overdoses.
In a social media post, the department said 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 Recovery Collaborative recommends the following steps and strategies for the 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.
Naloxone is not effective for stimulants, but Reno County health officials 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.
