International Overdose Awareness Day: Together We Can

August 30, 2024

Join Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) in observing International Overdose Awareness Day this August 31st by: raising awareness, supporting those affected by substance use, and working together to build a healthier, safer community for all. This annual observance serves as a crucial reminder of the lives lost from drug overdose and to acknowledge the impact of drug overdoses on individuals, families, and communities across the nation.

According to provisional data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 108,000 lives were lost to drug overdose in the US in 2023. While overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, deaths from cocaine and methamphetamine increased. In 2023, the University of Michigan - Sparrow Medical Examiner’s Office reported that 19 individuals in Eaton County lost their lives due to drug-related causes.

  • Fentanyl was involved in 85% of these deaths
  • Cocaine was present in over half (54%) of the fatal overdoses, suggesting that many may have been using more than one substance at the same time (polysubstance use).

In 2023, the Western Michigan University Medical Examiner’s Office reported that 9 individuals in Barry County lost their lives due to drug-related causes.

  • Fentanyl was involved in 78% of these deaths
  • Methamphetamine was found in over half (67%) of the fatal overdoses, suggesting possible polysubstance use.

You can help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community by learning more about the risks of an opioid overdose and what you can do to save lives. We encourage everyone to educate themselves and others about the signs of overdose and how to administer naloxone (also known as Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose you should call 911 immediately and administer naloxone, if it’s available. Do not leave the person alone. Signs of an overdose may include:

  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold and/or clammy skin
  • Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

BEDHD is proud to partner with local organizations to make overdose prevention resources, including naloxone and drug testing strips, available in the community for no cost. Thanks to these partnerships, harm reduction vending machines and access points are available throughout the Barry-Eaton district including at the Delta Township District Library, Corewell – Pennock Health and Wellness Center, and Eaton County Sheriff’s Department. These machines provide access to naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, first aid kits, CPR masks, safer sex kits and more. For additional naloxone distribution locations or more information on overdose prevention resources, please visit www.barryeatonhealth.org/harm-reduction.

If you or someone you know is ready to get help for substance use, BEDHD’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) can help connect you to vital treatment and recovery services. These CHWs provide a range of support for individuals dealing with substance use disorders, offering essential links to local resources, including Peer Recovery Coaches. It's important for everyone to know that help is available and recovery is possible. To learn more about CHWs or fill out a referral for yourself or someone else, visit: www.barryeatonhealth.com/connections.

If you're seeking additional support, Barry County Community Mental Health Authority (BCCMHA) and Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham (CMH-CEI) offer behavioral health and substance use services for those in the Barry-Eaton jurisdiction. For more information on their services visit: