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Raising Awareness of Overdose Deaths

Steve Burger

Tuesday is International Overdose Awareness Day.

A local group is raising awareness about opiod overdose deaths with an event at Haynie’s Corner from 7-10pm Tuesday evening. 

According to Evansville Recovery Alliance director Lavender Timmons, the majority of overdose deaths in Vanderburgh County are people who were first prescribed the opioids legally by a physician.

Credit Steve Burger / WNIN-FM
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WNIN-FM

Timmons says a big factor in stopping overdose deaths is by having wide access to Narcan, which can be given as a nasal spray and can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

“I think in the last two weeks, four people have been revived from overdoses, just on the street, without having to go to the emergency room first. Those people would have died, more than likely, if they would not have had the Narcan available to them.”

Timmons says Evansville consistently ranks among the highest in the state for overdoses, with 58 reported in 2020, which is up from eight reported overdoses just four years ago.

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