TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - Trumbull County officials are seeing a noticeable increase in overdose deaths fueled by the soaring availability of the drug Fentanyl.

According to data provided by the Trumbull County Coroner's office, as of February 26, there have been 25 confirmed overdoses and 10 unconfirmed overdoses in Trumbull County.

The unconfirmed overdoses are pending toxicology results.

For comparison, as of February 26 in 2017, the year with the most overdoses on record: there were 12 overdose deaths, 2018:
10 overdose deaths, 2019: 19 overdose deaths, 2020: 8 overdose deaths.

All but one of the confirmed overdoses involved Fentanyl.

"The availability of the Opioid drug, Fentanyl, continues to be a major concern in our community. Sometimes Fentanyl is used alone but most of the time it is added into other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Often users are unaware that they are taking the drug and most underestimate its potency," say officials from the Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board.

Officials are asking to help slow down this increase of overdoses in the community.

Residents are urged to act by taking advantage of free Narcan (Naloxone) available through the Trumbull County Combined
Health District.

"Narcan quickly reverses the effects of opioids like heroin and Fentanyl," said Frank Migliozzi, Health Commissioner for the Trumbull County Combined Health District. "Anyone can be trained by one of our nurses to administer the life-saving medication and receive a free kit containing two doses."

To acquire Narcan, or for more information, call the Trumbull County Combined Health District at 330-675-2590 ext 3.

If you know an individual in need of help for their addiction, contact the Coleman Access Center at 330-392-1100 for screening and placement into treatment or detox.

Or call 211 so the Help Network of NE Ohio may assist you.

"Addiction is a treatable disease," says April Caraway, Executive Director of the Trumbull County Mental Health of Recovery Board. "If we can save a person's life by using Narcan, we can help them get into treatment and on the road to recovery."