"Recovery is not a race. You don't have to feel guilty if it takes you longer than you thought it would."
Anonymous
The Opioid Crisis
Image courtesy of the DEA
Where Are We Today?
In 2019, Governor DeWine announced a targeted effort to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Ohio. Efforts appear to be working, as the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)’s 2023 Ohio Unintentional Drug Overdose Report, released in October of 2024, revealed a 9% decline in verified overdose deaths across the state. In 2023, Ohio recorded 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths, down from 4,915 in 2022.
Unfortunately, from 2022 to 2023, there were increases in the number of unintentional drug overdose deaths involving the non-opioid drug categories of cocaine and benzodiazepines. The number of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased 7%, and deaths involving benzodiazepines increased 4%. Exposure to these substances can be dangerous. We strongly encourage law enforcement, health officials and property managers not to proceed in a scene unless appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and naloxone (e.g., NARCAN®) is available for use.
Safety & Cleanup
Despite the apparent success in the 2023 report, Ohio still ranks 6th overall in the nation in overdose deaths. One of the continued leading causes of drug overdose deaths is fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is used in medical settings as a pain reliever. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is routinely found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and other non-regulated substances.
Production and use of fentanyl-containing products can lead to fentanyl contamination in homes, vehicles and drug laboratories. These pose a serious health threat to first responders, law enforcement and anyone entering a contaminated area. Exposure to even a very small amount of fentanyl can lead to compromised breathing, respiratory arrest and death.
If you come across a scene with possible fentanyl exposure, do not enter or attempt to clean it up yourself. Avoid disturbing the area or touching your eyes, hands or mouth after touching any potentially contaminated surface, even if you are wearing gloves. Restrict access to the area, and call Bio-One Columbus. Our trained technicians can safely decontaminate the scene with state-of-the-art equipment and proper safety and isolation gear.
Safety First!
If you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger or is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately.
Signs of overdose include the following:
- No response when you shake the person or call their name
- Not breathing
- Slow or shallow breathing (less than one breath every six seconds)
- Pinpoint pupils
- No response when you shake the person or rub their sternum with your knuckles
- Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
- Blue, grey, or ashen lips and fingernails
- Slow, irregular pulse
- No pulse
- Vomiting
- Seizures
Remember: Fentanyl is measured in micrograms not milligrams, so the smallest amount can knock out your respiratory drive and stop your breathing. Please do not to try to clean these scenes by yourself.
Help and Hope
For anyone who is currently struggling with opioid or other substance addiction, there is hope and help.
If you or a loved are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse related emergency, please contact any of the following resources:
- Netcare Access Crisis Hotline: 614-276-CARE (2273)
- Opiate Crisis Line: 614-724-HOPE (4673), which is available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357 or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is also available 24/7, just call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/
Remember, you can get free Naloxone or fentanyl test strips in Ohio - just go to https://naloxone.ohio.gov/ to learn more.
Please call Bio-One Columbus so that we can decontaminate safely and reduce the risk of harm. Our trained and professional staff use full PPE and follow state and federal guidelines to stay safe while using state-of-the-art tools to remediate the area. For more information on our cleanup process, visit our website.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards. Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
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