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Welcome to our first Cuyahoga County Overdose Response Bulletin!
This monthly bulletin was created to keep the community up to date on local news, alerts, trends, and educational resources related to the overdose crisis.
In this edition:
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In The News: Overdose Deaths in Ohio Drop for Second Consecutive Year and RecoveryOhio Releases New Overdose Early Warning Dashboard.
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Local Trends from Drug Checking Pilot- Signs Point to a Reduction in Heroin Despite Potential Local Perception, Xylazine's Presence is Growing - What You Need to Know.
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Cuyahoga County Snapshot: The Latest 2024 Overdose Fatality Data from the Medical Examiner and Recent Data Briefs from CWRU Reveal New Insights on Disparities and Trends.
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Staying Informed: Sign Up to Receive Local Alerts Including this Bulletin, Bad Batch Alerts from The SOAR Initiative, and more.
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Training & Education: Learn How to Use Naloxone and Fentanyl Testing Strips
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Additional Resources: Find Treatment, Harm Reduction Supplies, Overdose Alert Articles, and more.
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Signs Point to a Reduction in Heroin: While 54% of the 304 syringe samples submitted were by people believing they contained heroin, results revealed that only 18% of samples actually tested positive for heroin.
Most samples tested positive for a combination of substances like fentanyl, xylazine, or methamphetamines. These can cause unpredictable effects, from skin problems and infections, to a higher risk of overdose. Local drug seizures for heroin have also declined, further indicating it's reduction in the supply.
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Xylazine’s Presence is Growing: Originally intended for veterinary use, xylazine was detected in nearly 37% of the 304 local used syringe samples tested. It was also the fourth leading drug submitted to the local forensics lab in 2023.
Though awareness is growing thanks to local harm reduction programs and testing strips, many people who use still don't know it’s in their supply, leading to unexpected and potentially harmful effects. These include difficulty breathing, severe skin wounds, and an increased risk of overdose—especially when combined with other substances.
Click here to learn more about xylazine.
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About the Data: This data comes from a collaboration between the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Case Western Reserve University, The Centers, MetroHealth, and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. As part of the program, 20 used syringes are collected weekly and tested to determine their contents. These are preliminary findings of the pilot project and the sample isn't representative of the overall drug supply.
The results are shared with both the individual who used the syringe and the community, offering critical insights into the local drug supply and helping individuals take steps to better protect themselves and reduce potential risks. Click below to see more details and data from this initiative.
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From the Medical Examiner's Office:
The latest report for 2024 shows that as of October 3rd, 230 lives were lost to heroin, fentanyl, analogs, or a combination of these substances.
Including cocaine and methamphetamines, the total number of fatalities in 2024 has reached at least 338, down from 487 fatalities by September of 2023.
Click here to view the full report.
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MetroHealth saved thanks to local programs:
In 2024, Thrive for Change's harm reduction program received 289 overdose reversal reports with 114 of the reports received from Cuyahoga County residents.
MetroHealth's Project DAWN Program also received many reports of lives saved using naloxone, with 344 overdose reversals reported overall, 302 reversals occurred in 2024.
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Sign up to receive these community alerts:
Cuyahoga County Board of Health - Join the list for email alerts to stay informed about Overdose Spikes.
The SOAR Initiative (Safety. Outreach. Autonomy. Respect.) Subscribe to the alert network to receive notifications about overdose surges and bad batch alerts in your region.
The Overdose Response Bulletin - Not on the list to receive this email directly? Sign up today and stay informed on local overdose news, alerts, trends, and resources.
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Gain life-saving skills with this Overdose Response Training and learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose and use Naloxone effectively. Watch the Fentanyl Test Strip video for guidance on reducing overdose risks. These resources are essential in preventing overdoses and protecting our community. | |
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If you're in need of resources like treatment or harm reduction supplies, or would like more information on recent overdose alerts, please visit thrive4change.org/ODalertresources | | |
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About This Initiative:
Coordinated by Thrive for Change through OD2A, the Overdose Response Bulletin was developed with valuable input from a range of stakeholders, including local organizations, agencies, community members, and individuals with lived experience.
This collaboration ensures that the content reflects the diverse needs and concerns of the community. By working together, we’ve created a resource that is both informative and responsive to the ongoing overdose crisis. Respond to this email if you'd like to share something in the next bulletin, give us feedback on this email, or get involved in these efforts!
Click here to learn about OD2A
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This publication was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Overdose Data to Action: LOCAL (CDC-RFA-CE-23-0003) award .
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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