05/30/2026
Please be aware of the situation in Hamilton County Ohio referenced in the below alert. Many drugs enter our area through the Cincinnati area so it is possible that these stronger drugs could be in Decatur County.
Naloxone can be used to reverse an overdose and is available in many locations across Decatur County. Search the map at this Website for specific locations.
There are multiple treatment options available. Call 211 or the Decatur County Health Department at 8126638301 for more information on treatment availability.
This alert is being issued collaboratively by local public health partners and the Hamilton County Office of Addiction Response to enhance community awareness. Ongoing surveillance of daily overdose incidents since Friday, May 22 has indicated abnormal changes in overdose related activity. At the time this alert is being issued:
· 12 suspected overdose deaths occurred between Friday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 26
· 4 of the 7 deaths occurred on Saturday, May 23
· 5 overdose related emergency department visits that occurred Monday, May 25
Current trends suggest a potential change in the potency of the local drug supply. FENTANYL, POTENT FENTANYL ANALOGUES, AND OTHER SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS within the drug supply can increase the risk of an overdose. However, at this time, we are not certain of what substances contributed to these deaths.
Overdose Prevention Resources
• If you need naloxone, testing strips, or other overdose prevention supplies please visit: Hamilton County Public Health or call 513-316-7725.
• Treatment is open and available. If you need help, please call 513-558-8888.
• Naloxone is not limited to injection drug users only.
• Have more than one dose of naloxone available. Multiple doses could be needed to reverse an overdose.
• Using shortly after an overdose reversed by naloxone can cause another overdose. Naloxone does not last as long as the substances that caused the overdose.
• Make sure someone can respond with naloxone in the case of an overdose. If you are experiencing an overdose, you will not be able to give naloxone to yourself.
• It is possible to overdose on stimulants alone like co***ne and crack co***ne, even without the presence of opioids.
• Even if you are a recreational drug user, you are at risk for overdose and death. Drugs such as co***ne, crack co***ne, he**in, and methamphetamine likely contain other dangerous substances that can cause overdose and death. A high supply of fentanyl, potent fentanyl analogues, and nitazenes puts all users at risk. We have seen multiple deaths in people using drugs that are not suspected to have opioids in them.
• If you suspect someone may be overdosing, call 911 immediately for an ambulance and do not leave the person alone.
• Fentanyl test strips only detect Fentanyl. Medetomidine and xylazine test strips are available through Hamilton County Public Health
We want to ensure that people know that help is available, naloxone is accessible, and overdose prevention supplies are available. By disseminating this alert, we seek to prompt service providers and first responders to adjust response capacity and implement essential protective measures promptly.
• Have available and use necessary personal protective equipment; and
• Be ready to administer multiple doses of naloxone, as needed.
Your attention to this matter is critical in safeguarding the well-being of our community members. Please share this alerts with your networks. Thank you!
For any inquiries or additional information, feel free to contact Bridget Doherty at [email protected]
Hamilton County Office of Addiction Response
1701 Patricia McCollum Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45237
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