Overdose deaths surged during the pandemic. The current wave of overdose deaths appears to be driven by fentanyl and its analogs which are appearing in heroin and counterfeit prescription opioids but are also being found as contaminants in methamphetamine and cocaine. 

• Fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids are more potent than other opioids and have been driving the increase in overdose deaths.
• Fentanyl is being found in all types of drugs including stimulants (cocaine and methamphetamine) and opioids. It is being pressed into pills and mixed into other drugs. A person may think they are using one substance, but they are instead using a substance mixed with fentanyl.
• Fentanyl is hard to detect. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it. A tiny amount—as little as two grains of salt—is enough to kill someone.

Fairfield County Overdose Response Team Project F.O.R.T.

Fairfield County P.A.R.T. (Prevention, Advocacy, Recovery, Treatment) Coalition

Project Dawn (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) Fairfield County Health Department

Additional Data:

Ohio Integrated Behavioral Health Dashboard https://data.ohio.gov/wps/myportal/gov/data/view/ohio-ibhd

Fairfield County Opiate Task Force Dashboard https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/cassandra.woodford/viz/2022OpiateTaskForceDashboard-Draft/Overview

Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Find practitioners authorized to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine (Medication Assisted Treatment)

Project DAWN - Deaths Avoided with Naloxone (NARCAN®)  NARCAN® (generically known as naloxone) is a medication that can reverse a fentanyl overdose. NARCAN® is available at pharmacies, local public health departments, and community-based organizations throughout Ohio. It’s important to note that because of the strength of fentanyl, multiple doses of NARCAN® may be necessary. If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.