LLCHD Shares Resources During Drug Overdose Awareness Week

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) joins community partners in recognizing Drug Overdose Awareness Week, which runs through Sunday, August 31. 

The Overdose Prevention Coalition, led by LLCHD with other local and state partners, continues to help equip the community with the resources and support needed to prevent substance misuse and provide access to intervention, treatment, and recovery services. 

Recent data from the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) shows a continued decline in total overdoses in Lincoln over the last several years, down more than 53% from a peak of 224 in 2021, to 105 in 2024. Included in those numbers are fatal overdoses, which dropped more than 53% as well, from 45 in 2021 to 21 in 2024. 

When evaluating fentanyl specifically, more than 80% of all fentanyl overdoses in 2020 were fatal. By 2024, that number dropped to 14%, due to increased awareness of and access to Narcan (naloxone). 

“We can all play a role in preventing drug overdoses and poisonings,” said David Humm, Health Promotion Manager. “Collaborative work is ongoing throughout the year, but we take this opportunity to raise awareness about overdoses while helping avoid stigmatization, promote treatment and celebrate recovery.” 

Overdose and Poisoning Awareness – Overdoses and poisonings can happen to anyone. It is vital to recognize the signs, understand emerging substances, and talk with youth, family, and friends so they can stay safe. The increasing presence of potent substances like fentanyl in the illicit drug supply poses significant overdose risks. The best way to protect yourself is to never take a substance that was not prescribed to you or purchased at a reputable pharmacy. Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, consider getting Narcan nasal spray so you could help reverse an opioid overdose or poisoning. 

Help Save a Life – A free resource available in the community through the Nebraska Pharmacists Association is naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within two to three minutes. Free Narcan, a common form of naloxone, can be ordered online and mailed to a residence, picked up at participating pharmacies, or accessed through vending machines at Matt Talbot and CenterPointe in Lincoln. For more information, visit stopodne.com. 

Overdose Awareness and Remembrance Event – The event will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, at the CenterPointe WellBeing Garden, 2202 S.11th St., in Lincoln. It will include remarks from a mother sharing her story of loss and advocacy, Narcan training, and a candlelight vigil to honor and remember those lost to overdose. Find out more about the event at overdoseday.com/lincoln. 

Mental Wellbeing Support – Earlier this month, LLCHD, in partnership with Bryan Health and CHI Health, launched a new online mental wellbeing platform called CredibleMind. The platform provides Lincoln and Lancaster County residents free access to evidence-based mental health resources that can be personalized to their needs. Low mental wellbeing can increase risk for substance use. Having free access to articles, apps, podcasts, videos, book and online programs through CredibleMind can help residents prevent and manage their symptoms. Visit myhealthymind.crediblemind.com. 

Overdose Prevention Coalition – Provides consumer and provider education and advocacy through collaborations for reducing stigma, prevention education, and referral to treatment. Residents can learn more about life saving measures and treatment options at lincoln.ne.gov/OD. The coalition is a group led by the Health Departments and includes local law enforcement, community members and more than 20 Lincoln organizations. 

LPD encourages residents to report overdose cases to law enforcement and become familiar with the Good Samaritan Law (NRS 28-472). Those who request immediate medical assistance for a person overdosing will not be arrested for unlawful drug-related acts connected to the incident. 

Those with information about people distributing illegal drugs, especially in cases that led to overdoses, are urged to call the LPD non-emergency number at 402-441-6000, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force at 402-441-8181 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.