According to Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton and Harris EMS Supervisor Kyle Dowling, there has been a notable increase in the number of overdose incidents in recent years.
In 2015, Harris EMS received 58 calls related to overdose, poisoning, or ingestion, encompassing substances such as alcohol, prescribed medications, accidental ingestion, and street drugs. However, by 2022, this figure had surged to 177, and as of September 14, 2023, it appears that the numbers for this year might either match or exceed those from the previous year, with 106 calls already documented.
Additionally, the use of Narcan, which is the brand name for naloxone, witnessed a substantial increase. In 2015, Narcan was administered in response to 27 calls, but in 2022, this number more than doubled to 66.
As of mid-September in the current year, Harris EMS had employed naloxone on 41 occasions.
Furthermore, the quantity of Narcan required to reverse an overdose has also grown. In 2022, 31 Narcan kits were distributed, whereas as of June, only 14 kits had been dispensed. The Jackson County Department of Health also distributes naloxone to individuals and organizations interested in obtaining it.
Moreover, the department offers training on recognizing potential overdose situations and how to effectively respond to them.
