International Overdose Awareness Day

 Hello again everyone! It’s Beth, one of your Pharmacy Chicks. Every year, August 31st is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day and the month of August is Overdose Awareness Month. This is an annual international campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those that have died from overdose, and to recognize the grief of the family and friends that are left behind. The theme for 2024 is “Together we can.” “No one should stand alone in our fight to end overdose.” The theme this year highlights the strength of coming together and standing in support of those that are connected to the tragedy of overdose. #TogetherWeCan #EndOverdose

Any drug, even those prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter, can cause an overdose. An overdose occurs when the body gets too much of a substance or combination of substances, leading to a toxic reaction. This can be intentional or accidental. Someone can overdose on illicit (street) drugs, prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, alcohol, and other substances. Every day there are new reports across our county, state, and nation of street drugs that are laced with fentanyl, a very potent opioid, causing overdoses. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl in power or liquid form can be mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and even marijuana. It is also added to counterfeit pills that may resemble prescription medicines. Overdoses can be fatal, but most people who have overdosed can be saved if medical treatment occurs quickly enough. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of overdose death from chemical substances.

         In 2022 in Tennessee, there were 19,738 nonfatal overdose outpatient hospital visits and 3,826 drug overdose deaths reported by the State of Tennessee. In 2022 in White County, there were 89 nonfatal outpatient hospital overdose visits with 28 involving opioids and 8 involving heroin. In 2022 there were 18 overdose deaths in White County as reported by the State of Tennessee. Of these deaths, 14 were the result of opioid drug overdose with 13 of these involving fentanyl.

         Prompt medical treatment can prevent death from most overdoses. Overdoses can happen slowly, over the course of several hours. Recognizing the signs of an overdose is the first step in preventing death. Signs of overdose include the following:

• Unresponsive
• Limp body
• Floppy arms or legs
• Shallow, labored, erratic or no breathing
• Blue/grey lips or fingertips
• Pale, clammy skin, loss of color
• Choking, snoring, or sounds of a gurgling noise

Opioid drugs bind to specific sites in the brain that can cause the breathing to slow or stop which eventually can cause the heart to stop. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioids by binding to these sites in the brain more closely than opioids. It knocks the opioid off long enough that breathing can be restored, and emergency medical services can be implemented.

Individuals in Tennessee can receive training in the administration of Naloxone for opioid overdose reversal. This training is available through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/naloxone-training-information.html or through in-person trainings provided by Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists. Completing this training grants “Good Samaritan” civil immunity to anyone administering naloxone to someone they believe is overdosing on an opioid. Anyone interested in this training can contact the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist at 615-588-1622 or White County Anti-Drug Coalition at 931-303-6695.

A barrier to preventing overdose is the perceived stigma about overdose and addiction. A person is stigmatized when others view the person as the problem rather than the condition as the problem. When this happens, the person can feel isolated and experience shame. This makes it more difficult for them to accept or ask for help. A way to reduce stigma is understanding that addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation are mental health conditions that require access to quality treatment and care. Using person-first language – being nonjudgmental and neutral – can reduce stigma and improve treatment.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses medication, along with counseling and behavioral therapy, to treat substance use disorders with a “whole-patient” approach. This treatment uses a prescribed medication to relieve physiological cravings, block the effects of opioids or alcohol, and work to normalize brain chemistry and body functions without the negative effects from the drug of misuse. MAT may not be the best choice for every person with substance use disorder, but it is a valuable tool in the toolkit in preventing overdose.

Another tool in preventing overdose, especially accidental overdose, is reducing access to medications that can result in harm. When children are in the home, placing all medications in locations where children are unable to reach them can help to reduce the risk of accidental overdose. Medication lockboxes can be used to help prevent access to medications. Lockboxes are available for purchase at local pharmacies. The White County Anti-Drug Coalition also has lockboxes available at Sparta Drug Center for those that are unable to afford them. Another risk reduction strategy is to remove unused medications from the home. Medications can be disposed of at the drug disposal drop boxes located at the White County Justice Center, the Sparta Police Department, and Sparta Drug Center. These are “no questions asked” ways to dispose of any medications to reduce the risk of accidental overdose.

As a community, we can work together to prevent overdose and reduce the stigma related to addiction and overdose. If you have questions or concerns for yourself, a family member, or friend, please reach out to your pharmacist, healthcare provider, or minister for help. You can always stop by and see Beth at Sparta Drug Center or Jennifer at Payless Family Pharmacy. Pharmacy Chicks out!