CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The Ross County Health District (RCHD), Chillicothe Police Department, and Ross County Sheriff’s Office are issuing an urgent alert to the community about a significant increase in suspected drug overdoses. Within a 24-hour period, Ross County has experienced a higher-than-usual number of overdose incidents.
The RCHD is urging residents to take precautions and be aware of the following safety measures:
- Have Naloxone on Hand: Free Narcan (naloxone), an overdose reversal medication, is available by visiting redcap.link/ProjectDAWNOrderForm or calling the RCHD at (740) 779-9652.
- Don’t Use Alone: Having someone present can increase the chances of receiving help during an overdose.
- No Drug is Safe: Officials warn that all illicit drugs carry a risk of contamination with potentially deadly substances.
- Call 911 Immediately: Even if Narcan is administered, emergency services should be contacted.
- Good Samaritan Law: Ohio’s Good Samaritan Law protects both the person overdosing and those seeking help from drug possession charges. [Include the full link for more information]
- Recovery Support: Ross County Peer Support offers resources for those seeking recovery. Contact them at (740) 702-7222.