HEALTH
Dunwoody, Brookhaven see rise in opioid overdoses Opioid-related incidents are being seen all over the country. According to the latest statistics provided by Center for Disease ConOpioid-related overdoses in the Atlanta trol, during 2019-20, there were only five area are skyrocketing, which has police and states not experiencing an increase in opiate medical personnel distributing record numoverdose deaths (Louisiana, Delaware, New bers of life-saving measures. Hampshire, New Jersey, In several cases, reand Massachusetts). In ported overdoses durGeorgia, the number of ing the first six months reported opioid-related of 2022 have exceeded deaths in 2019 was 419. those of the entire preIn 2020, that number vious year. climbed to 896, a 115% “We have absoluteincrease. ly seen a spike in the Police point to the number of opioid-relatpopularity of the powed overdoses since the erful synthetic opiate pandemic began,” said Fentanyl as the reason Dunwoody Police Pubfor the rising number lic Information Officer of overdoses and deaths. Sgt. Michael Cheek. Fentanyl, according to “At this rate, we will the Drug Enforcement surely exceed the numAdministration, “is a bers for 2021.” Above, Stevie D” Gebhardt. synthetic opioid that is According to Cheek, Below, Connor Vieira. 50-100 times stronger police were involved than morphine. Pharin administering Nalmaceutical Fentanyl oxone (Narcan), a nawas developed for pain sal spray used to rapidmanagement treatment ly reverse the effects of of cancer patients, apan opioid overdose, 4 plied in a patch on the times in 2019 after six skin. Because of its powreported overdoses. In erful opioid properties, 2020, there were 14 inFentanyl is also diverted cidents resulting in the for abuse.” administration of NarFentanyl, primarily can 21 times. In 2021, manufactured in Mexthe number of doses ico, is often added to administered jumped other drugs to increase to 27 for 14 overdosits potency, often withes. During the first six out the knowledge of months in 2022, there the end user, the DEA said. were 20 doses administered during 16 re“There are no safe illegal drugs out there ported incidents. (In most cases, according anymore,” Murray said. “It’s extremely diffito officials, Narcan may have to be admincult to detect whether or not street drugs like istered several times to a victim in order to Xanax, heroin or even marijuana are laced revive him or her — thus the disparity in with Fentanyl until it’s too late.” incidents and the number of units that are Cindy Gebhardt of Dunwoody is one administered.) who knows firsthand of the heartache caused In Brookhaven, the trend is much the by the opioid crisis. Her son, Steve, known to same. According to Sgt. Matthew Murray, in many as “Stevie D,” died January 25, after in2019, there were 11 overdose cases reported gesting Xanax laced with Fentanyl. While he to the police and nine were opiate-related. Of had been struggling for several years with adthe 13 cases documented in 2020, all were diction issues, his mother said he had been opiate-related. That number jumped to 21 in clean and sober for at least six months before 2021 (19 opioid-related), and in 2022, there the incident that killed him. have already been 10 documented overdose “It was a big shock to us because he had cases, with eight cases related to opiates. been doing so well,” Gebhardt said. “We had “We only document cases where there was been very intentional about keeping track of some kind of police intervention where pohim. He was never a huge user, but when he lice administered Narcan, evidence was coldid, he got into trouble.” lected or property placed into safekeeping,” Gebhardt said medical personnel who anMurray said. swered the call after her son was found unreMost police departments now stock seversponsive on January 20 administered Narcan, al vials of Narcan in officers’ vehicles. All 58 which revived him but “he had been gone too Dunwoody officers carry Narcan, as well as long.” After five days in intensive care, he was the 85 patrol officers in Brookhaven. BY CATHY COBBS
Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind. So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience The Piedmont at our upcoming event.
Low Country Boil
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11TH • 3:00PM
Join us for a traditional Low Country Boil! Mix & mingle with residents while enjoying live themed music. It’s a great way to get to know us! To RSVP, please call 404.381.1743.
Unable to make this event? Call 404.381.1743 to schedule a personal tour.
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18 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
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