Carson City December 11, 2020
On November 24 the National Drug Helpline placed Nevada and 27 other states on “red alert” status for increased risk of death from overdose.
Other western states placed on the red flag list include Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah. The National Drug Helpline cited factors contributing to the risk of overdose fatalities such as reduced access to treatment programs, including emergency departments, lost health care capacities due to staff falling sick, increased social and economic stress and increased risk of suicide, particularly in individuals addicted to opioids.
Based on data from the Electronic Death Registry System (EDRS), in Nevada there has been a 50% increase in opioid- and fentanyl-involved drug overdose deaths of any intent from the first to the second quarter of 2020. This preliminary data shows 98 deaths from January through March and 147 from April through June.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the existing opioid crisis in many states, including Nevada, but helpful resources are available.
Through the State Opioid Response program, naloxone, an opioid overdose antidote, can be obtained. Naloxone and trainings to use the opioid-antagonist can be found through NVOpioidResponse.org
If an overdose occurs, call 911 immediately. In 2015 Nevada adopted the Good Samaritan Overdose law. This law protects an individual from prosecution for many narcotic-related offenses when seeking medical assistance for another person for a drug-related emergency.
While Nevada has been flagged for a heightened risk designation there are services and resources available to Nevadans with substance abuse disorder seeking treatment or recovery support.
Syringe Service Programs
Trac-B Exchange
6114 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas
(702) 840-6693
Change Point
580 West 5th Street
Reno
through Northern Nevada HOPES
Crisis Support and Recovery Support Lines
Crisis Support Services of Nevada
1-800-273-8255
Text CARE to 839863
Treatment/Recovery Services
Treatment Connections- Treatment Finder
Foundation for Recovery