According to a report distributed by Dr. Cathy Gantz with the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force, Bladen County has one of the highest monthly EMS suspected opioid overdose encounters in the state. David D Howell Jr, Paramedic, and Bladen County EMS Director, also released a report showing a significant rise in the administration of Naloxone in Bladen County.
Mr. Howell stated in an email, “I’ve noticed an increase in administration of Naloxone by EMS within the past couple of months.”
Naloxone is a drug administered to suspected drug overdose victims to help save lives and reverse the effects of a drug overdose.
According to Mr. Howell, below is the Naloxone administration within the EMS system since January 1, 2021, compared to doses administered in the field in the same period of time in the year 2020.
| January 2021 | 7 doses | January 2020 | 4 doses | 75 % Increase |
| February 2021 | 8 doses | February 2020 | 5 doses | 60 % Increase |
| March 2021 | 9 doses | March 2020 | 4 doses | 125 % Increase |
| April 2021 | 8 doses | April 2020 | 5 doses | 60 % Increase |
There is no meeting scheduled for the task for in April. The next task force meeting will be held on Tuesday evening, May 11th at 6:30 p.m., Bladen Community College Auditorium, Building 9. The meeting is open to the public.
Related videos:
About Author
