Narcan Distribution Every 4th Tuesday

OverdoseFreePA - Overdose Death Data PA PDMP – Interactive Data Report Open Data PA – Opioid Data Dashboard York County Coroner – Monthly Statistics City of York Public Health Interactive Dashboard Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)

We are facing a crisis in overdose deaths in York County, Pennsylvania and around the nation.  Unfortunately, we now face the collision of a pandemic and an epidemic.  The opioid epidemic has not gone away and in fact it has only gotten worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation measures.  Drug overdose deaths spiked to an all-time high in 2020 in York County.  In 2021, drug overdose deaths decreased considerably in York County to 138 confirmed and probable after the uptick in 2020 (to 204), we are back at 2018 levels, which is a turn in the right direction.

• Overdose Data to Action (OD2A)

  Overdose Data to Action (OD2A)

  The Bureau of Health received Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  OD2A is a multiyear cooperative agreement that began in September 2019 and focuses on the complex and changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic and highlights the need for an interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and cohesive public health approach.  The approved funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) OD2A grant primarily goes to States but requires that 20 percent of the prevention funds go to local health departments.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health is providing funds to the county-municipal health departments to fund local prevention and surveillance strategies related to the opioid epidemic.

  This comprehensive program focuses on two overall components – a surveillance strategy and prevention strategies.  Funds were intended to enhance local collaborative efforts related to supporting a balanced approach between evidence-based and innovative initiatives in the community.  The Bureau of Health will enhance community-wide prevention and education efforts to address overdoses in York County by fostering collaboration to identify, implement, and evaluate overdose, opioid misuse, and substance abuse prevention strategies.

• Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

  Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

  The Pennsylvania Department of Health launched a statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in 2016 to help prevent prescription drug abuse and protect the health and safety of our community.  Pennsylvania’s PDMP collections information on filled controlled substances dispensed to outpatients, including opioids and benzodiazepines.  This information helps health care providers safely prescribe controlled substances and helps patients get the treatment they need.

  • PA Prescribing Guidelines
  • Continuing Education for Health Care Providers
  • Visit the PDMP website for Evidence-Based Prescribing: Tools You Can Use to Fight the Opioid Epidemic
• Overdoses Can Be Prevented

  Overdoses Can Be Prevented

  In recent years, there has been a significant increase in deaths resulting from opioids including heroin and/or fentanyl.

  The best ways to prevent overdose deaths are to improve opioid prescribing, reduce exposure to opioids, prevent misuse, and treat substance use disorder.  Utilizing these prevention strategies that aim to align with the CDC’s evidence-based strategies for preventing opioid overdose, allows us to better combat this problem as community.  We have been working together with stakeholders and community partners to address this epidemic head-on.

• Get Naloxone

  Get Naloxone

  If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose (i.e. prescription pain medication or heroin). Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death.

  When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain, which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally within two to eight minutes.

  Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only one function: to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death.

  A statewide General Public Standing Order allows pharmacies in Pennsylvania to dispense naloxone without the need to get a prescription from your doctor. We suggest you call your local pharmacy and ask if they have naloxone and whether it is covered under your individual insurance plan. View the naloxone product fact sheet for more information and safety instructions.

  • Mail-based Naloxone Distribution
  • Naloxone Funding Initiative
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health – Naloxone

   

  The York Opioid Collaborative launched OPAL: Overdose Prevention Assistance Locally in September 2021. OPAL is an online, harm reduction service that provides naloxone to individuals at risk of experiencing an overdose, their family members and friends, and others in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an overdose. To qualify for mail-based naloxone distribution, you will need to:

  1. View a short training video
  2. Answer a short quiz
  3. Provide enrollment information

  

  Get started now at www.opalpa.org.

• Useful Links & Resources

  Useful Links & Resources

  • York Opioid Collaborative
  • York Chapter of Not One More
  • York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Commission (YADAC)
  • Commonwealth Prevention Alliance
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health – Opioid Epidemic
  • Pro-A – Online and Virtual Recovery Support Resource List
  • Mental Health Resources for Pennsylvanians

  

For Emergencies, Please Call 911

WellSpan WARM Line, 24-hour support, 1-844-WARM-LINE

Gaudenzia Help Hotline 1-833-976-HELP (4357)

If you need assistance in finding a treatment provider or funding for addiction treatment, call:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Additional National and Pennsylvania Helplines