Major spike in ODs spurs warning
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)
and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental
Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) issue this ROAAR Alert due to
increased non-fatal opioid overdose activity for Region 10
(Westerly, Charlestown, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown,
and South Kingstown).
From March 27, 2022 to
April 2, 2022, Region 10 was over the pre-established opioid overdose
threshold.
- RIDOH's Opioid
Overdose Integrated Surveillance System, which tracks weekly overdose activity
across the state, detected six reports of individuals receiving
emergency department (ED) care for a suspected opioid overdose.
- The weekly opioid overdose threshold for this region is four
ED reports.
During the same time period, Region 3
was at the pre-established threshold for opioid overdose activity.
- Region 3 (Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, North
Smithfield) had less than five reports* of individuals receiving ED care
for a suspected opioid overdose.
- The weekly opioid overdose threshold for this region is
three ED reports.
The ROAAR notification system is initiated when
a Region exceeds a pre-established threshold during a seven-day period. As
a result, a public health advisory is issued to alert Rhode Islanders of
increased drug overdose activity. Key stakeholders receiving this alert include
public health and healthcare professionals, first responders, harm reduction
organizations, municipal leaders, Rhode Island Health Equity Zones (HEZ), and Community Overdose Engagement (CODE) Collaboratives.
DOH also makes these recommendations"
If someone you care about is using drugs, you can do some important things to help. • Learn the signs of an overdose & how to respond. preventoverdoseri.org/respond-to-ove • Have the overdose reversal medicine, naloxone (Narcan®), readily available. Free naloxone: preventoverdoseri.org/get-naloxone