National Opioid Awareness Day is this Thursday, September 21. Opioids are a class of drug that are derived from or similar to opium. This can include heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.  Opioids can be highly addictive and highly dangerous. Opioid use and overdose impact all areas of New York State. Anyone who uses opioids is at risk of an overdose, including people experimenting with drugs for the first time, people who use opioids for pain management, and longtime drug users. According to the CDC, almost 75% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved an opioid. 

Know the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. Look for blue or ashen color lips and fingers, snoring or gurgling sounds, slow or no breathing, pinpoint pupils, minimal response from the person or the person is completely unresponsive. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately and do not leave the person alone. 

Wayne County public Health offers free Narcan trainings. If you are interested in becoming a certified Trained Overdose Responder, contact us at (315)946-5749 or wcph@co.wayne.ny.us