Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), and organizations in Portage County are banding together to educate the community on warning signs, prevention and resources with events in Kent and Ravenna.
IOAD brings awareness to the rising rates of overdose and gives local organizations the opportunity to help fight the stigma around the disease of addiction.
Karyn Kravetz, associate director of Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, told the Record-Courier that there were 149 reported, unintentional overdoses in Portage County from Jan. 1 to Aug. 12 of this year. As of Aug. 16, the Portage County Coroner's Office reports that there have been 22 fatal overdoses in 2023, a decrease from the 48 overdose fatalities reported in 2022.
To help raise awareness about overdoses in Portage County, Open United Recovery (OUR) Place, the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, Kent Health Department and Brightview Kent Addiction Center will distribute free resources and educational materials.
Trained Narcan providers with the Kent Health Department will offer Narcan kits and educational resources from 1-3 p.m. at four locations in Kent:
- Kent State University Student Center, 1075 Risman Drive.
- Kent Free Library, 312 W Main Street.
- Kent Gateway, 201 E Erie Street.
- Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water Street.
The Mental Health and Recovery Board and partner agencies will offer free hygiene products, Narcan kits, Fentanyl test strips, peer support and other resources from 4-6 p.m. at the Kent Gazebo on Franklin Ave in downtown Kent.
OUR Place and the Portage County Combined General Health District will close the day from 5-8 p.m. at Ravenna City Park, where free Narcan, fentanyl testing strips, hygiene products and food will be available.
State Rep. Gail Pavliga and Portage County Common Pleas Judge Becky Doherty will speak at the event alongside a special guest who will share her story of surviving an overdose and the journey to recovery.
The event will close with an interactive candlelight ceremony to honor the lives lost to overdose.
The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County wants community members to be aware of these common signs of overdose:
- Dizziness and confusion.
- Drowsiness or difficulty staying awake.
- Can’t be woken up.
- Slow, weak or no breathing.
- Blue lips or nails.
- Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds.
If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately. For non-emergency resources and information, call the Portage Addiction Helpline 330-678-3006.
Other available resources for local addiction services and information include: