OHIO — Ohio continues to face the battle against substance use disorders and other deadly drugs that contribute to overdose deaths across the state.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, one in five Ohioans live with mental health or substance abuse disorders. 

What You Need To Know

  • National Recovery Month has been recognized since 1989 with events, educational opportunities and resources for those recovering

  • Efforts remain underway to provide resources to Ohioans to combat the overdoses and find ways onto the recovery path as the country recognizes recovery efforts

  • ODH is hosting community events across the state that began at the end of August and run through the end of September

  • To treat someone suffering from an overdose, there are five steps to quickly take action

Efforts remain underway to provide resources to Ohioans to combat the overdoses and find ways onto the recovery path as the country recognizes recovery efforts. National Recovery Month has been recognized since 1989 with events, educational opportunities and resources for those recovering.

Gov. Mike DeWine issued a proclamation joining the country in recognizing September as Recovery Month.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is hosting a walk in Washington, D.C. in Freedom Plaza to recognize people across the country facing recovery. This is amongst several nationwide events being held throughout the month.

ODH is also hosting community events across the state that began at the end of August and run through the end of September. The events range from recovery walks, days of remembrance, days of hope and overdose awareness days.

ODH's program Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) is one of the key pieces of the state's effort in combating overdoses. The program works by distributing overdose prevention materials, provides harm reduction services and education.

In 2022, ODH reports 4,915 people died from unintentional drug overdoses; however, this is among the lower losses of life from overdoses the state has seen. In 2021, there were 5,174 overdose deaths, the highest on record, a 3% increase from 2020. By itself, May 2020 saw 574 overdose deaths.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said nationwide there were 70,000 fatal overdoses in 2023 caused by illegally made fentanyl. Attorney General Dave Yost said in Ohio there were 3,579 fentanyl-related according to Yost's Scientific Committee on Opioid Overdose and Prevention Education, which monitors deaths using ODH data. 

“Illegal use of fentanyl continues to wreck Ohioans’ lives, causing addiction and death,” Yost said on National Fentanyl Awareness Day. “Unless the pills you’re taking were prescribed by your doctor, you can’t be sure what it is – don’t risk it.”

Yost said the Ohio deaths represented 98% of the total 3,651 overall opioid fatalities Ohio saw last year.

“These numbers are frightening if you look at them as numbers,” Yost said. “They are heartbreaking when you realize they were someone’s loved ones.”

With overdoses numbering into the thousands, the state has taken steps to educate the public on how to assist when witnessing an overdose; offering free naloxone, a medicine used to rapidly reverse an overdose, lessons on how to administer naloxone and offering free fentanyl testing strips.

In Ohio, it is legal for anyone to carry and administer naloxone, as it does not harm those going through an overdose.

According to a survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine though, 75% of Americans said they would not be able to assist someone suffering from an overdose. One step that can be taken for residents is the carrying of naloxone.

Project DAWN has 420 naloxone distribution sites, covering 82 of the state's 88 counties. As of February, Project DAWN has 202 programs registered in Ohio which distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips and provide trainings on harm reduction.

Residents can also order free prevention resources through the mail by clicking here.

Recognizing the signs of an overdose is vital in order to assist someone suffering from one:

  • Unresponsiveness
  • Slow or shallow breaths (less than one breath every six seconds) or not breathing at all
  • Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
  • Blue, grey or ashen lips and fingernails
  • Pale or clammy face
  • Slow, erratic, or absent pulse
  • Vomiting 
  • Seizures

To treat someone suffering from an overdose, there are five steps to quickly take action:

  1. Check whether they respond (call their name, shake them or rub knuckles across the middle of their chest)
  2. Call 911
  3. Administer naloxone (follow directions on the version on site, if no response between 2-5 minutes administer a second dose)
  4. Give rescue breaths
  5. Stay until help arrives

Naloxone can be administered three ways:

  • Intranasal spray (i.e., Narcan or KLOXXADO)
  • Intramuscular/subcutaneous (i.e. ZIMHI)
  • Intravenous injection

For those facing mental health or addiction crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by call, text or chat connecting to a trained specialist who will offer free confidential help.