Wicomico County, MD - In 2013, 858 individuals died of an overdose in Maryland. Of these, 59% had at least one or more hospital visits, for an overdose, up to one year prior to the overdose. To provide youth and adults with a way to save a life, the Wicomico County Health Department and The Life Crisis Center are sponsoring a 211 Overdose Hotline for youth and adults. The Hotline will begin on January 29, 2015. Free 211 Cards and posters are available in English and Spanish. The 211 Cards provide three phone numbers (211, 410-749-HELP or 800 422-0009) that can be utilized to obtain assistance, overdose symptoms, responsiveness tips, and what to do if the person is unresponsive.
Overdose symptoms include the following: slow, shallow breathing; sleepy, unable to talk; skin color is blue or grayish, dark lips and fingernails, and snoring or gurgling sounds. You can lightly tap, shake or shout to get a response; if no pulse, perform CPR (if trained); if not breathing, perform rescue breathing to the best of your ability; if person responds, keep awake and call 211. If you receive no response, place the person in the recovery position on their side, hand supporting the head, mouth facing downwards, and knee keeps the person from rolling onto their belly.
People do not always report overdoses or get assistance for fear of getting in trouble with the law. For that reason, the Hotline will provide callers with an opportunity to get help anonymously and save lives.
If you are interested in free 211 cards and/or posters, please call 410-219-7544.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
3 comments:
This does not surprise. You have pain centers being administered by staff that do not meet state qualifications to be writing scripts for medications that can kill.
No pain management here. I carry so many pt's who scream they could get better with a p.m. office local. They all tell me Annapolis is the closest. No wonder its bad here. Nobody on dope can drive to Annapolis however so often for help.
Yet people who really need pain meds can't get them because of the doper population here.
This is a complete waste. All EMS dispatch is done through wicomico central and if there's ANY information provided that indicates an OD the police are dispatched. All people have to do is refuse to give their name. Help is still dispatched without the delay that comes with a third party call.
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