LEXINGTON, Ky. — The number of overdose deaths across the U.S. is the lowest it has been in three years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kentucky has been on the decline since 2022. However, Lexington has seen a recent spike in nonfatal overdoses.

What You Need To Know

  • Overdose deaths in the U.S. are decreasing and the lowest they've been in three years 

  • Kentucky has been on the decline since 2022  

  • However, Lexington had a spike of nonfatal overdoses between Sept. 17-20

  • The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is encouraging people to carry naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug

There were 24 suspected nonfatal overdoses from Sept. 17-20, according to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application System.

John Moses, team leader of the Harm Reduction Program at the Lexington-Fayette Health Department, said it normally sees about 10 to 15 nonfatal overdoses over a seven-day period.

With this spike, the department is encouraging anybody and everybody to carry naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.

“You never know when you’re going to come across someone who’s not breathing,” Moses said. “Even if you don’t know if they overdosed, it can’t hurt them, and you may save their life.”

The department also suggests people don’t do drugs alone and call 911 if they suspect a person has overdosed. 

The Harm Reduction Program distributes naloxone kits from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays. A short training is also given to teach people how to use the life-saving medicine.

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