HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Drug overdoses in Reno County have been an issue, with occasional spikes of cases in the span of a few days.
The Reno County Health Department has released a comprehensive report on overdose trends from October 2020 to September 2021. The Health Department and EMS starting using a real-time overdose tracking system called ODMAP in 2020 in hopes of better understanding substance trends within the County.
In the first year of tracking, there were 325 suspected overdoses, 72 requiring the use of Naloxone, and 19 fatalities. Overdoses increased shortly after springtime compared to the winter season. In February, overdoses hit a yearly low of 13 while temperatures were also hitting record lows in the region. Suspected overdoses from ODMAP peaked at 35 in May and June. Reno County experienced three overdose spikes, defined by having three or more suspected overdoses within 24 hours. Each of these spikes was caused by different substances: heroin, oxycodone, and methamphetamine.
Co-occurring substance use and mental disorders are widespread within the County. Nearly 50% of all tracked Emergency Department visits for a drug overdose mentioned a mental health disorder, including depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal ideation.
In 2021, the Reno County Health Department responded to a Hepatitis A outbreak that saw 26 total infections, including 1 fatality. Half of these cases reported a history of drug use.
The report also looks at the costs of addiction, harm reduction, youth intervention and prevention, and treatment and recovery options in Reno County. The Health Department hopes the report will inform the community on substance trends and the efforts being taken to address them.
CLICK HERE to download the HutchPost mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.