ELYRIA, Ohio — Health leaders are sounding the alarm as opioid overdoses increase in Lorain County.
According to Health Commissioner Mark Adams, the county experienced two separate "spikes" (anomalies) over the first seven days of May alone. Officials say this is the first time two such spikes have occurred so close to each other.
"People in our community continue to die from opioid overdoses," Adams said in a statement. "Already this year, 33 people have died. In 2021, 147 people died, while 143 people died in 2020, and 106 people died in 2019 due to an overdose."
While the current pace of deaths trails the one set each of the last three years, Lorain County Public Health warns fentanyl remains a particular concern, especially when it is sold on the street as pills made to look like Adderall or Xanax. The deadly substance is often also mixed with more common illegal drugs such as cocaine, meth, and heroin.
RELATED: National Fentanyl Awareness Day sheds light on increase of overdoses in Northeast Ohio, nationwide
Those who are using drugs that don't come from a pharmacy are urged to immediately call Never Use Alone at (800) 484-3731 or seek help for addiction at (800) 888-6161. Free Narcan rescue kits are also available at LCPH headquarters at 9880 S Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, by mail, or at other locations. Additionally, The Nord Center on Clifton Avenue also accepts patients and exchanged syringes, and those whose children are currently dealing with a drug problem can go to drugfree.org/get-support for more information.
