44 Non-Fatal Overdoses Reported In 1 Week: RI Dept. Of Health

Non-fatal overdoses are on the rise, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. This warning comes at the same time as a sharp increase in fake pills that are laced with fentanyl.

In just one week, more than three dozen suspected overdoses were reported by hospital emergency rooms across the state. From August 12 to 18, 44 cases were reported. That's two cases higher than the average state overdose threshold, the weekly average the department of health determines with the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals based on past data.

Here's how some of those 44 non-fatal overdoses break down by city. In Providence, there were 18 cases, where the threshold is 16. Eight cases, meanwhile, were in a region covering Cranston, Coventry and West Warwick, meeting the threshold.

In the first half of the year, there were an average of 31 overdose-related hospital visits per week, the department said.

An increase in fake opioid pills containing the synthetic drug fentanyl could be contributing to the rise in non-fatal overdoses. The fake pills, which look exactly like prescription pain killers such as Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, contain potentially deadly amounts of the illegally made substance. Of the 44 reported overdoses, 21 people received initial toxicology screenings. 19 of the 21 people tested had fentanyl in their systems at the time of the overdose.

"There is no such thing as a clean drug. When you use an illegal drug, you never know what substance or substances you are putting into your body. One pill can kill," said the Department of Health's Deputy Director, Ana Novais. "If you think someone is overdosing, no matter what drug you believe they took, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Rhode Island's Good Samaritan Law protects people who call to get help for someone they think is overdosing."

Fenatnyl is odorless, tasteless and colorless, making it undetectable in pills. 100 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times for powerful than herion when made illegally, the substance was connected to 72 percent of all drug overdoses in Rhode Island last year.

The department encourages anyone currently using drugs to seek help as soon as possible. 24-hour services are available through BH Link, which offers a crisis hotline at 401-414-LINK or at the organization's walk-in center at 975 Waterman Ave. in East Providence.

Drug users should also carry the overdose-reversal drug naloxone on their person at all times. The easy-to-administer nasal spray can be purchased at any pharmacy in the state. Finally, never use drugs alone.