International Overdose Awareness Day was recognized by several different agencies in Logan County Wednesday as a time to remember loved ones, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and injuries, and to promote harm reduction approaches to substance abuse.
Among the observances included staff members of Community Health & Wellness Partners wearing purple ribbons to raise awareness and offering Narcan Rescue kits, Deterra medication disposal bags and medication lock boxes. Those services also are available throughout the year as well.
The Logan County Health District, 310 S. Main St., offered a display in front of its facility honoring “Black Balloon Day.” Similarly, the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties also offered black balloon displays around the county.
Black Balloon Day is a time of observance for families and loved ones to honor the lives of those lost to overdose.
Though Black Balloon Day is traditionally observed in March, this year will honor the lives of those lives lost to overdose in Logan County on International Overdose Awareness Day, LCHD representatives said.
Each balloon in the health district display is representative of one individual who died from an overdose in Logan County — seven individuals in 2018, 10 in 2019, four in 2020, eight in 2021 and three so far in 2022.
“The lives lost are not just statistics for Logan County, but they are parents, children, brothers and sisters, friends, co-workers, and so much more to those who remain in our community,” officials said. “We remember those lives lost, we feel the weight of these losses, and we work every day to help stop these preventable deaths from happening.
“We can all take part in stopping these preventable deaths by increasing awareness of the dangers of opioid and prescription drug misuse (both intentional and accidental), while focusing on decreasing the stigma of addiction and promoting life-saving measures such as Naloxone and treatment.”
The LCHD offers free Narcan training and kits to residents of Ohio. There is a virtual training and mail-order option for those who don’t wish to meet in person. Participants will also receive information on the many local resources available in Logan and surrounding counties.
Click here to take the training and submit your mailing information and receive your kit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCHDW21.