(OCALA, Fla.) August 31, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is calling on citizens to reflect on the lives lost to overdoses on this International Overdose Awareness Day. Furthermore, the fire department encourages the public to act by addressing this overwhelming crisis with those who matter most – you
Post Date: 08/31/2020
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Between January 1 and June 30, 2020, Marion County had 657 suspected overdoses, 93 of which resulted in fatalities. Of these cases, 318 overdoses were treated with Narcan.
“Acknowledging the reality and scope of the opioid crisis through candid discussions is a critical step toward overdose prevention,” said Ashley López, OFR Public Information Officer. “Taking the steps toward rehabilitation and relapse deterrence are the actions that must follow these difficult conversations.”
If you, or someone you know, are suffering from addiction, please contact Ocala Fire Rescue to inquire about the Narcan Leave Behind (NLB) program or the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP).
For more information about the NLB program, visit www.ocalafire.org. For details about the ORP, contact Captain Jesse Blaire at 352-266-4769.
