By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
The Rhode Island Department of Health says hospitals across the state usually report 29 suspected overdoses per week, but last week, that number jumped to 44. That prompted RIDOH to send an alert to officials and first responders across the state.
The cause of the sudden increase isn’t yet known, but Dr. Jim McDonald, Medical Director of RIDOH’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program, said it’s likely connected to drugs laced with fentanyl.
“What this usually means is in the illicit drug supply, there’s more fentanyl and more fentanyl analog,” he said. “What this usually means is there’s more potent products out there, and that’s why people are overdosing.”
RIDOH says fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Last year, fentanyl was involved in over 63% of overdose deaths in the state.
Along with the statewide alert, guidelines were issued to emergency departments, hospitals, law enforcement, pharmacists, overdose treatment providers, and more. RIDOH also had recommendations for the general public, which include
- Use and share resources through the 401-942-STOP hotline and PreventOverdoseRI.org
- Carefully follow instructions and dosage information on opioid prescriptions
- Safely store opioid prescriptions
- Find a safe disposal site nearby when it comes time to get rid of medicines.
McDonald said he’s carried the live-saving opioid antidote Narcan, which he said anyone can do as it’s is available at Rhode Island pharmacies without a prescription.
“We’re all first responders. You’re far more likely to come across someone who’s overdosed than someone who needs CPR,” McDonald said.
