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Maryland Carroll County Health Department

Overdose Alert

September 7, 2021

The Carroll County Health Department is alerting the community that per public health sources, there have been multiple suspected overdoses in Carroll County over the past weekend.

While the reason for this increase in overdoses is not yet known, overdose spikes are often due to fentanyl and other similar chemicals, which may be added to heroin or cocaine. Counterfeit pain and anxiety pills (for example Percocet, oxycodone, Xanax and others) may also be laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl and similar drugs are very potent and increase the risk of overdose and death.

Signs of an Opioid Overdose

  • Slow, shallow breathing or not breathing
  • Slow heartbeat or no heartbeat
  • Not waking up or not responding to voice or touch
  • Limp body
  • Choking or gurgling sounds, vomiting
  • Pale, clammy skin; blue or gray lips and fingertips
  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”

If You Think Someone is Overdosing

  • Call 9-1-1 immediately
  • Administer naloxone, if available
  • Stay with the person until medical help arrives
  • Don’t Run, Call 911! Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law protects people who help someone

who is overdosing from arrest or prosecution for several drug- or alcohol-related crimes. Learn more at http://www.itsneverworthit.com/

Be a Hero. Save a Life with Naloxone. When someone experiences an opioid overdose, you can restore their breathing and save their life by giving naloxone. Naloxone is a prescription medication that safely and effectively reverses an opioid overdose. It is available at Maryland pharmacies without a prescription. To learn more about naloxone, go to https://howtoadministernaloxone.maryland.gov/en/index.html.

To register for a free Naloxone training, call Access Carroll at 410-871-1478.

Connect People to Treatment and Other Resources: The Carroll County Health Department’s Bureau of Prevention, Wellness and Recovery (BPWR) and its partner agencies have many programs to help people with substance use and mental health issues. Visit https://cchd.maryland.gov/behavioral-health/ or call 410-876-4449 during business hours to speak with a Service Coordinator to learn more. You may can also call the Maryland Crisis Hotline 24/7 by dialing 211 and pressing “1”.

New and Dangerous Drug Mixture “WIPEOUT” May Be in Area – March, 2021

https://www.localdvm.com/news/maryland/experts-are-warning-people-about-a-new-drug-in-carroll-county/