Drug Overdoses a Growing Concern in Manatee County

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has turned to its social media channels to warn people about the dangers of drugs and the potential for fatal overdose.

The sheriff’s office “continues to investigate a significant number of deaths related to suspected accidental drug overdoses,” a recent Facebook update from the agency stated. “Many of the deaths appear to be the result of combining drugs such as heroin, cocaine and prescription medications.”

Agency spokesman Dave Bristow said deputies investigated 10 to 12 suspected fatal overdoses in February alone. Of those overdoses, about six to eight of them are believed to involve heroin.

Official determinations are still pending in those cases, Bristow told Patch. Toxicology reports from the medical examiner’s office usually take several weeks to complete.

In the meantime, the sheriff’s office is reaching out to make sure people not only understand the dangers associated with drug use, but also are aware of the signs of an overdose so medical assistance can be obtained when necessary.

“Signs and symptoms of an overdose can vary depending on what drugs are used, how they are used, the frequency of use and the amount used,” the sheriff’s office noted on its Facebook post. If an overdose is suspected, however, immediate medical attention should be sought. Some of the signs to look for include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Seizures
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Breathing problems
• Excessive loud snoring
• Hallucinations
• Disturbed vision
• Abnormal pupil size
• Pulse changes
• Sleepiness

An estimated 100 Americans die every day from drug overdoses, according to the Washington Post. The number of fatal overdoes rose from 16,849 in 1999 to an estimated 38,329 in 2010.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Florida’s number of drug overdose deaths rose 61 percent during the period of 2003 to 2009 from 1,804 to 2,905. Florida’s introduction of tougher laws regulating prescription painkillers, however, helped bring those numbers down by 16.7 percent during the period of 2010 to 2012.

While prescription drug deaths are declining, heroin use is up, Reuters reports. Heroin-related deaths rose statewide from an estimated 62 in 2011 to 117 by 2012.

People in need of assistance related to drug use and abuse can call the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That number is 1-800-662-4357. For more information, visit the agency online.

Photo courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.