by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Narcan, now available to the general public, is credited for a slight reduction this year in the number of Hamilton County deaths attributed to dangerous opioid drug overdoses.

The county coroner’s office says there have been 20 opioid-related deaths so far in 2019 compared with 22 at approximately the same time last year.

Narcan is a medication used to quickly block the effects of opioids.

It is carried by police and first responders, and is now available at pharmacies.

Overall Hamilton County deaths from drug overdoses are down from 38 last year to 26 so far this year. Heroin, meth and other drugs account for the non-opioid fatalities.

Dangerous and illegal drug use remains a serious problem locally and nationally. A majority of fatalities involve younger males, although some older men and women have been among the victims.

In another attack on the crisis, Deputy Coroner Mark Epperson says the county Drug Task Force is now doing consulting with users, trying to curb fatalities.