YORK COUNTY, Pa. — September is National Recovery Month, raising awareness of new evidence-based treatment, recovery practices and rescue medication for people battling substance abuse.
Several local overdose prevention groups will be gathering outside York City Hall today for their monthly Narcan distribution event.
Health officials say Narcan, or Naloxone, is a medication that can potentially save lives. It reverses the effects of an overdose from drugs like fentanyl, heroin and even prescription painkillers.
But this Narcan distribution event is just one of the initiatives York City leaders put in place to reduce overdose deaths.
York County saw 145 overdose deaths in 2023, and as of early August of this year, they’ve seen about 43 overdose deaths, according to Jaime Morris, an overdose fatality review coordinator for the City of York.
New research shows we’re seeing a decrease in the overall number of overdose deaths not only in York County but across the state and the country, as well.
According to the CDC, predicted provisional data shows Pennsylvania could see an almost 19% drop in overdose fatalities this year compared to 2023.
And the country could see around a 10% decrease in overall overdose deaths compared to last year.
It’s hard to say exactly why we’re seeing this sudden drop in fatalities, but Morris says easier access to the proper resources and treatment can make a big difference in someone’s recovery.
“There are multiple different pathways to recovery, and it looks different for each individual, so being able to offer different services at different points in time, helps facilitate that recovery and also opportunities for treatment along the way,” Morris said.
York City leaders say family and friends are often the first ones to witness a person experiencing an overdose, which is why it’s important to have access to life-saving medication, like Narcan.
And with it being National Recovery Month, it’s a good reminder that recovery looks different for everyone, and it’s important to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.
The City of York Bureau of Health, York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Commission and York Opioid Collaborative will be distributing Narcan from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside and in front of City Hall. They’ll also provide a brief training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose.