Ohio county leads in overdose deaths

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The opioid epidemic is sweeping the nation but the state of Ohio houses the county with the most overdose deaths per capita.

Montgomery County, home to Dayton, is receiving national recognition for their high number of overdoses, with 365 people dying from drug overdoses in just six months. Following suit is Franklin County, just a couple of counties west of Zanesville, where there was a 66% spike in overdose deaths.

Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department Dr. Vicki Whitacre said it’s a dangerous trend that’s making its way to Muskingum County.

“Well we’re aware that there is quite a problem. We feel surrounded by areas in Ohio that are really having a rough time, particularly the more urban areas, but it does trickle down to our county,” said Whitacre.

As a way to combat deaths from overdose, the health department hosts a state funded program called ‘Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone).’ The sessions provide overdose education and distribute naloxone, the medication used to treat overdose situations.

“You learn how to recognize an overdose, what to do and you are given the actual Narcan medication to keep available,” said Whitacre.

The program is held the last Thursday of every month at the health department. It is free and open to the public.

To register for Project DAWN or for more information, contact the health department at (740) 454-9741 ext. 250.