Baptist Health educates on Overdose Awareness Day | Local News

Whereas Overdose Consciousness Day acknowledges all substances that would play a component in overdoses, managed substances are of explicit concern, a Baptist Well being Hardin information launch mentioned.

“We’ve seen a rising variety of overdose sufferers within the Emergency Division over the past 5 years,” mentioned Deanna Parker, Baptist Well being Hardin director of emergency companies, within the launch. “In 2021, fentanyl was linked with 73% of overdose deaths in Kentucky. That mirrors what we’re seeing in Hardin County, as fentanyl is the second mostly used drug, instantly adopted by different artificial medicine.”

Abuse of prescription drugs is partly in charge for the present epidemic sweeping communities nationwide, the discharge mentioned. Research present a majority of abused pharmaceuticals come from household and pals, and from residence drugs cupboards.

Whereas pain-relief drugs may be useful for sufferers, the discharge mentioned warning have to be taken within the consumption of prescription drugs and of their disposal.

“All of us have a job to play in eliminating overdose deaths, not solely in our neighborhood, however on the planet at massive,” mentioned Jamie Lane, director of pharmacy companies at Baptist Well being Hardin, within the launch. “We start by educating shoppers concerning the dangers of prescription opioid misuse.”

Lane mentioned sufferers ought to by no means take prescription opioids in higher quantities or extra usually than they’re prescribed. They need to all the time let their physician find out about any unwanted side effects they’re experiencing whereas utilizing prescription drugs, however opioids particularly, she mentioned.

Moreover, Lane provided suggestions within the use and disposal of prescription drugs:

• Keep away from taking opioids with alcohol and different substances or drugs.

• All the time discuss to your doctor about different drugs you take earlier than beginning a brand new treatment.

• Don’t share or promote prescription treatment to anybody.

• Retailer treatment in a safe location out of attain of household, pals, kids, and strangers.

• Don’t depart drugs in plain sight, akin to in your automotive.

• Eliminate undesirable, unused, and expired treatment in order that it doesn’t fall into the improper arms.

To get rid of unused prescription opioids on the finish of remedy, the discharge inspired residents to search out their area people takeback program, or discuss to their pharmacy about taking again drugs for disposal. Native regulation enforcement companies even have drug disposal areas. Flushing treatment down the bathroom is discouraged due to potential impacts to the native water provide, the discharge mentioned.

When disposing of empty treatment containers, take away the label or use a marker to hide all affected person data in order that another person can not refill the treatment, the discharge mentioned.

Baptist Well being provides treatment return receptacle bins the place residents can get rid of expired, undesirable and unused prescription drugs. Needles should not accepted.

Native areas are at Baptist Well being Hardin, 913 N. Dixie Hwy. in Elizabethtown and Baptist Well being Bardstown Medical Heart Pharmacy, 3615 E. John Rowan Blvd. in Bardstown.

Moreover, Baptist Well being hospitals are working to combat the opioid epidemic via the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship Program, together with different hospitals and the Kentucky Hospital Affiliation.