Fentanyl mixed with the veterinary sedative xylazine has been linked to a sharp increase of overdose deaths across the country. By Daniel Arkin President Joe Biden’s drug czar on Wednesday declared that fentanyl mixed with xylazine, an animal tranquilizer known as “tranq” that has been linked to a rising number of overdose[Read More…]
Tag: overdose
Naloxone can help save someone suffering overdose; what we all should know about this lifesaving drug
By Dr. Trish FreemanUniversity of Kentucky Chances are you or someone close to you has been directly impacted by the opioid epidemic, which continues to afflict Kentucky. In 2021, overdose deaths in Kentucky reached an all-time high of 2,250, with 90% involving an opioid. Because bystanders are present in more[Read More…]
Beshear outlaws tianeptine known as ‘gas station heroin’
By LANTERN STAFF Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday issued an emergency regulation classifying tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin,” as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. In some countries the drug is prescribed in low doses to treat depression and anxiety. The drug is not approved in the United States and in higher doses produces[Read More…]
Kentucky AG stops in Greenup during ‘Fight Fentanyl Operation’ tour
By Lane Ball GREENUP, KY (WOWK) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R-KY) made a stop in Greenup County on his Fight Fentanyl Operation tour across the Commonwealth. Local leaders, addiction recovery officials and concerned residents gathered at the Jesse Stuart Lodge in the Greenbo Lake State Resort Park Wednesday afternoon. Watch[Read More…]
Louisville officials approve funds to hire overdose quick response team members
Kentucky’s opioid settlement will be putting $85,000 toward two new peer support specialists to join the quick response team. More Videos Author: Jim Stratman LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Health and Wellness officials say that the real life experience that peer support specialists can bring to their outreach programs are invaluable. Community Health[Read More…]
As opioids overdose deaths keep rising, report urges lawmakers to develop new approaches
BY: ASHLEY MURRAY WASHINGTON — Lawmakers should view America’s staggering opioid crisis, including the rise of illicit fentanyl, through an “ecosystems” approach, argues a massive RAND Corporation report published last week. That means they should examine the gaps and interconnections among emergency response, data collection, education, treatment, housing and law enforcement, the report[Read More…]
Fentanyl accounts for a majority of fatal overdoses. But ERs aren’t testing for it.
After her son’s death in 2018, Juli Shamash began advocating for legislation that would require hospitals to test for fentanyl. Tyler’s Law took effect in California this year. By Maura Barrett and Bianca Seward LOS ANGELES — When Tyler Shamash survived a drug overdose at 19, his mother, Juli, asked his doctor several[Read More…]
Leaders and addiction specialists urge for immediate action as fentanyl use spikes
By Chandler Wilcox HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – Fentanyl has grabbed the attention of leaders nationally and statewide. Kentucky House Bill 353, which would decriminalize fentanyl testing strips and other testing tools, passed through the House as the need for action grows. The CDC says fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100[Read More…]
Fentanyl overdose crisis: 7 deaths in the past 2 weeks
By Lexi Schweinert WARREN CO., Ky.-The fentanyl crisis is increasing at an alarming pace. “In the past approximately two weeks we’ve had seven overdose deaths,” said Warren County Drug Task Force Executive Director Tommy Loving. “I think this hit our community at a rate that we definitely were not expecting,”[Read More…]
Officials see spike in overdose deaths in central Ky.
By Kelsey Souto LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A recent spike in overdoses around central Kentucky has harm reduction experts trying to spread awareness and resources to those in need. “We had a run, I guess it was last week, where we had every day finding someone deceased,” said Madison County Coroner[Read More…]