YCADC highlights Overdose Awareness Month
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition (YCADC) is observing Overdose Awareness Month to honor the lives lost to drugs.
The YCADC executive director, Joanne Fiser says, “We have this coalition meeting that brings agencies together in the fight of war on drugs and we are excited to share with you today the Overdose Awareness Month campaign.”
According to the Counter Drug Task Force, in 2023 about five Arizonans died each day due to a drug overdose.
YCADC held a meeting to discuss the overdose issue and rise in Fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is something that’s, you know, we have seen a huge increase in, post-COVID, it’s something that’s still really prevalent in our community. It’s the leading cause of overdose statewide and nationwide, so, you know, Fentanyl awareness is something that the coalition, and the Yuma County Health District, is something we continue to do and continue to address,” says Ryan Butcher, co-chair of YCADC.
In our community there are places you can go to get some help.
Fiser said, “Overdose Awareness Month brings attention to where you can receive free Naloxone kits, and in our community there’s five different locations that you can receive these kits, one is Yuma County Anti Drug Coalition, Hope is another location, they are located on Fourth Avenue, we also have Community Bridges.”
Naloxone is a medication that helps reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
If you see someone in need of help, you can respond by using a life saving medication.
Butcher says, “Anybody can carry Naloxone, anybody can be a first responder, and that’s kind of a call to action to the community.”
Visit the Naloxone community sites to get the medication to help save someone’s life.