Lorain County Public Health hosted an opioid response emergency exercise June 15 with local partners, according to a news release.
The group played out a fake scenario of a mass overdose event, then walked through the processes of how local partners would respond to such an event, the release said.
Exercising the emergency through conversation helps local partners prepare to respond to a sudden increase in opioid overdoses, the release said.
The group discussed ways to improve the response and better prepare for an emergency event.
Possible improvements include streamlining data collection and reporting, as well as communicating to first responders and community members more quickly and accurately.
“In September, we’ll meet again to continue the conversation,” said Mark Adams, Lorain County Public Health commissioner in the release. “Practicing specific emergency situations helps all emergency responders offer the best possible protection to Lorain County.”
Working together to address the opioid crisis across sectors helps prevent and reduce opioid overdose deaths, Adams said.
This exercise focused on opioid overdoses because of the widespread availability of fentanyl, which is a dangerous synthetic opioid that you can’t see, smell or taste.
Street drugs and any drugs not prescribed to you may contain deadly amounts of fentanyl – including fake pills sold as Adderall, Xanax and oxycodone, the release said.
Fentanyl is being mixed with street drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, according to the release.
Help curb the opioid crisis:
• Carry naloxone to help stop and reverse an opioid overdose — order and get trained for free.
• Have a kit mailed to you in one to three business days, order online at bit.ly/3phnx1X in English or at bit.ly/40w2LLL in Spanish.
• Pick up a kit at Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
• Find another naloxone pick up location at bit.ly/3M0cvb3.
• Get naloxone rescue kits for your business – visit LorainCountyHealth.com/opioids.
• Keep prescription medications safe – order a free medication safe and/or a disposal bag at LorainCountyHealth.com/opioids.
If you use drugs:
• Never use alone. Call 1-800-484-3731. An operator will stay on the line and call emergency services if you don’t respond.
• Visit the Harm Reduction Clinic at The Nord Center from 1-5 p.m., Monday and Friday; and at 3150 Clifton Ave. in Lorain from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Exchange syringes, pick up fentanyl testing strips, and get support.
• When you’re ready to ask for help, call 1-800-888-6161 (hotline for the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board).
• Hear the voices of three local people in recovery at LorainCountyHealth.com/opioids.
Agencies that attended this tabletop exercise included representatives from Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital, Elyria Police Department, Let’s Get Real, Lorain County Coroner, Lorain County Correctional Institute, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Lorain County Overdose Response Team, Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County (MHARS), Mercy Health, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, South Lorain County Ambulance District, The LCADA Way and University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.
Visit LorainCountyHealth.com to learn how health and safety are priorities for Lorain County Public Health, or call 440-322-6367.
