BURRILLVILLE/GLOCESTER – The Rhode Island Department of Health issued a spike alert for increased drug overdose activity from March 2 to March 8 in the area designated as Region 1 in northern Rhode Island including Burrillville, Foster, Glocester and Scituate.
The alerts are issued when a Rhode Island municipality or region has more non-fatal overdoses than usual in a week to offer a near real-time view of statewide overdose trends, regional hot spots and emergency department visits.
For Region 1, the threshold for such an alert is at two non-fatal overdoses, and RIDOH notes the region had “less than five” over the week.
Cranston Region 7 also had a spike alert for the week ending in March 8, but there the threshold for an alert is five reported cases.
The spike alert system allows RIDOH to identify overdoses caused by opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, as well as stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and other substances.
“In Rhode Island, every city and town has seen an overdose,” RIDOH noted in the release, issued on Monday, March 9.
The release notes that fentanyl has been detected in stimulants like cocaine and crack cocaine as well as counterfeit pills.
“Stimulants could be contaminated with fentanyl and put people who use stimulants at risk of opioid overdose, especially those who do not regularly consume opioids and have a lower opioid tolerance,” RIDOH stated.
The department published the following list of resources and recommendations for the public:
- Learn what an overdose looks like and how to respond, especially if someone you know may be using substances.
- Carry the overdose reversal medicine, naloxone and know how to use it. You can get naloxone through your pharmacist, over the counter at pharmacies or other retailers, or for free by mail at Prevent Overdose RI.
- If you or someone you know is using substances, try to avoid using alone. If you are using alone, have someone check on you. If you are using in a group, stagger your use so someone is always alert and ready to administer naloxone.
- Access 24/7 behavioral health resources available in Rhode Island, such as the 988 Lifeline, the BH Link Walk-In Triage Center, and the Rhode Island Buprenorphine Hotline (401-606-5456).
- Visit Prevent Overdose RI to find free, local resources like recovery support, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, family support, and more.
- Connect with local resources like Community Care Alliance (24/7 Crisis Line: 401-235-7120), Comprehensive Treatment Center (877-760-2402), Project Weber/RENEW (401-383-4888), or any Rhode Island-Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.
- Help raise awareness by forwarding this overdose spike alert to people you know or sharing this link so others can sign up.
- Get involved with the Governor’s Overdose Task Force and stay informed through Task Force newsletters.
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