Latest news with #Naloxone
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Overdose deaths prompt response from Police Chief
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum wants people to remain vigilant when it comes to drug overdoses. The chief spoke with reporters today following three deaths in the past few weeks believed to be related to overdoses. So far in 2025, drug overdoses have killed seven people in Sioux Falls, with an 8th suspected case awaiting toxicology tests. SFPD: 7 confirmed overdose deaths so far in 2025 'When we look at these drug cases, I think sometimes we hear terminology, like hey it's a bad batch, or its a hot batch, the reality is with the drugs we are dealing with in this day and age, there is no such thing, they are all bad batches, said Thum. At this time last year the city had ten deaths linked to drug overdoses. Emily's Hope founder Angela Kennecke looks at the drop in deaths so far, as a small victory. 'Overdose deaths actually decreased by 20 percent. I think that is a good thing. However, of course, the eight tragic deaths and how those have impacted families and friends, that's awful. And I want to see no deaths at all, but to have the numbers going down, I think that's fantastic,' said Kennecke. Kennecke's nonprofit, Emily's Hope, has distributed more than a thousand doses of Naloxone, also called Narcan, statewide in the past year. Kennecke says people are relaying information to her that they have already prevented several overdoses. 'So I have had separate people approach me, at different times to tell me that Naloxone has saved someone's life. The Naloxone they got from an Emily's Hope distribution box,' said Kennecke. Those public Naloxone distribution boxes are placed in strategic locations throughout South Dakota. Kennecke says Naloxone is a tool, not a cure. 'So we also offer a post-overdose response team for people who have survived an overdose to connect them with the resources that they need. It has to be followed up with the right kind of care to treat substance abuse disorder,' said Kennecke. Chief Thum agrees, it's what happens after an overdose that can lead to change. 'If you are not dealing with the root cause, if you are not dealing with people who have that demand for that narcotic and some of those issues that are there, it's a multi-faceted approach that has to be taken,' said Thum. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 Michigan men sentenced for selling fentanyl that killed at least 7
The Brief Two men are going to prison for selling drugs that killed at least seven people in Kalamazoo. Authorities said the men believed they were selling cocaine, but it was really a substance containing fentanyl. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (FOX 2) - Two Michigan men who sold drugs that led to at least seven overdose deaths and multiple non-fatal overdoses in 2023 learned their sentences this week. James Smith, 42, of Kalamazoo, received a 20-year prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, while Patrick Donald Martin, 27, also of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to four years for use of a communication facility to commit conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. The backstory The criminal cases against the men began on April 12-13, 2023, when authorities responded to numerous overdoses in the Kalamazoo area. Some of these overdoses were fatal, while others hospitalized people. "April 13, 2023, was a sad day in Kalamazoo County," said Captain Mike Ferguson, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team/Crime Reduction Team. "We extend our condolences to the families who were deeply affected by this tragedy. Hopefully, these sentences will allow some closure to those involved. Additionally, this should send a message to drug dealers who continue to peddle deadly drugs in our community." Investigators traced the substance the victims had ingested to Martin and then to Smith. According to federal authorities, the men thought they were selling cocaine, but it was really a substance containing the highly-lethal fentanyl. "The distribution of fentanyl continues to take lives and destroy our communities and families," said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Byerly Birge. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou noted that drug dealing is inherently dangerous because so many drugs on the streets have fentanyl in them. Dig deeper If you or someone you love is suffering from substance use disorder, there are resources available: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, Cope Network (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties), 269-580-8290, The Grand Rapid Red Project (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Kent and Muskegon Counties), 616-456-9063 (Kent County), 231-563-6865 (Muskegon County), The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a webpage that identifies county-by-county services. The Source This information is from the Department of Justice.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Man almost dies after allegedly taking partner's VAD drugs at Gold Coast University Hospital
Queensland's voluntary assisted dying (VAD) procedures have been "tightened" after a man nearly died allegedly taking the drugs his partner had just used to end her life. The incident at the Gold Coast University Hospital's VAD unit earlier this month is currently under investigation, Queensland Health has confirmed. The ABC understands the probe is also looking into allegations a health worker drank shots of alcohol with the couple before the drugs were taken. The VAD patient's partner had to be resuscitated with Naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, and was admitted to the emergency department, sources have confirmed. The couple's adult child was reportedly also there. A Gold Coast Hospital and Health spokesperson said, "additional steps" have been taken to "strengthen clinical hospital processes over and above the requirements of the voluntary assisted dying legislation". "All appropriate authorities had been notified, and appropriate support has been offered to the family," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said they could not comment further while the investigation was underway. A brief about the incident has been given to Health Minister Tim Nicholls, his spokesperson has confirmed. The spokesperson said a report would be prepared for the coroner, and the hospital was carrying out a review. Do you know more about this story? Email It is the second time a person has taken the VAD drugs provided to their partner to end their life. In 2023, a man died after he ingested drugs that had been meant for his partner. He had been responsible for the VAD drugs when they were delivered to the couple's home. On the day the drugs arrived, his wife was admitted to hospital with COVID-19. The wife then decided to take a VAD drug at the hospital and died in hospital. The man was told to return the take-at-home drugs within two days of his partner's death but failed to do so and instead took them to end his life. A 2024 coroner's inquest into the man's death found the laws had failed to find a balance between a patient's autonomy and lethal medication safety. Coroner David O'Connell said the self-administered process was not adequately thought through and recommended a health professional be present every time the deadly substance was administered. The former Labor government promised a review at the time, which is due to happen in January next year, according to the Health Department's VAD website. The VAD legislation was introduced in Queensland in 2021. By September last year, more than 1,000 Queenslanders had used the VAD program. Queensland Health's Gold Coast service on its website describes its VAD service as having strict eligibility criteria. It says a person must have an eligible condition, which is advanced, progressive and will cause death. They must also be expected to die within 12 months, and their illness must cause suffering that the person considers intolerable. The patient must also have capacity to make the decision and be acting voluntarily as well as being at least 18 years of age, according to the site.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Naloxone vending machines added at 3 Denver police stations
DENVER (KDVR) — Vending machines with free naloxone kits are now located outside three Denver police stations. The following three locations were chosen based on reported overdose data compiled by The Naloxone Project. District 2 Station (3921 N. Holly St.) District 6 Station (1566 N. Washington St.) Police Administration Building (1331 Cherokee St.) 'Making arrests for for drug related charges, we're really more focused on the sellers and not the not the users,' Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said. 'So, we hope that that users feel comfortable coming here and getting these kits because, at the end of the day, we're all about public safety and harm reduction. I think is a huge part of public safety.' Free on Your TV • New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Dr. Don Stader, Executive Director at The Naloxone Project, addressed a common question: Is a move like this enabling drug users? 'If you do struggle with opioids and have an addiction or a dependency, using the Naloxone will make you feel terrible, so in many ways, Naloxone is not a drug that enables drug use,' Dr. Stader said. 'Naloxone enables one thing and one thing only. Naloxone enables survival. It enables a second chance of that person who is struggling to look for recovery, or even if they continue to use drugs, can continue to live.' The vending machines hold up to 75 naloxone kits. The Naloxone Project says they have enough of the kits to make sure everyone who needs a second chance has one. The organization will restock the machines as needed. 'To date, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has secured more than $860 million to the state of Colorado for key efforts such as youth prevention, treatment in underserved areas to rebuild communities and families,' Jamie Feld, Director of Opioid Response for the Colorado Attorney General's Office said, referring to opioid settlement funds. 'We know that it's important that we continue this charge. There's been a 35% decrease in fentanyl overdose deaths since November 2023, and it's because Naloxone has been a key strategy in getting these to the hands of those who need it most.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
New naloxone vending machines popping up across Denver in effort to save lives
New narcan vending machines popping up in Denver in effort to save lives New narcan vending machines popping up in Denver in effort to save lives New narcan vending machines popping up in Denver in effort to save lives Since its pilot launch in April 2025, the vending machine outside the Stout Street Health Center has dispensed over 1,100 Naloxone kits in roughly 720 interactions. The machine is part of a broader effort to tackle the opioid crisis in Denver. A year after launching the "leave-behind" program in April 2024, over 2,400 Naloxone kits -- often referred to as "Narcan" -- have been distributed by first responders, including Fire, EMS, Police, and STAR teams across the city and county. Denver leaders are now expanding the initiative to include Narcan vending machines, which will soon be installed outside police stations, offering a potentially life-saving tool in the fight against opioid and fentanyl overdoses. The vending machines, which resemble typical dispensers but provide free Naloxone instead of snacks or drinks, are designed to be easily accessible. "What's really important about these machines is that they're low-barrier, and they're going in places where they're easily accessible," said Joshua Jacoves, program director of The Naloxone Project. "These are lifesaving tools in the right place at the right time." Joshua Jacoves, program director of The Naloxone Project, shows off a naloxone vending machine like those that will be placed around Denver police stations in an effort to reverse opioid and fentanyl overdoses. CBS In just 50 days, the pilot machine at the Stout Street Clinic has dispensed more than 1,000 kits, with restocks each week due to high demand. Each kit potentially saves a life. Jacoves says stories from people on the streets show how urgent the need is. "Every time we restock, we hear stories from people who have been impacted," he said. While the program has proven effective, it's not just about numbers. "The lives saved are measurable, but second chances are what we're here for," Jacoves added. With funding from the Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Denver Opioid Abatement Council, the Naloxone Project aims to reduce overdose deaths through proactive harm reduction. Between June 2023 and June 2024, Colorado saw 20.5 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 residents. Sorted NARCAN, which they try to give out to people on calls, at Denver Health in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images Jacoves emphasized that the program is not about enabling drug use but about providing critical help to those in need. "AEDs don't encourage heart attacks just like Naloxone doesn't encourage drug overdoses," he said. As the pilot program gains momentum, Denver leaders hope the new Narcan vending machines will help save even more lives. The machines are expected to be placed near three Denver Police Department stations as soon as next week. For more information about the project, click here.
