March 14, 2026 – In the past few days, there has been a concerning rise in suspected drug overdoses in Cuyahoga County. Between March 12th 1pm through March 13th 8pm, 21 individuals were treated in emergency departments for drug-related injuries compared to an average of approximately 8 daily. 

Important Actions to Take:

Spread the word: Let’s keep our community safe by sharing this information and checking in on each other. 

Carry Naloxone (Narcan): Always have naloxone on hand. It can reverse opioid overdoses. Train your friends and family on how to use it.

Never Use Alone: If you must use substances, always have someone with you or use services like the Never Use Alone hotline: 877-696-1996.

Test Your Substances: Use fentanyl test strips to check for the presence of fentanyl in drugs. This is crucial for substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Go Slow: If using a new supply or trying a new substance, start with a small amount to gauge its potency.

Avoid Mixing Substances: Mixing drugs, especially with alcohol or other depressants, increases the risk of overdose.

If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately.

For more resources and free naloxone, visit:

 thrive4change.org/ODalertresources

Stay safe and look out for one another. Together, we can reduce the risk and save lives. 

Alert Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Health, EpiCenter emergency department (ED) visit data.