Overdoses are on the rise, due in large part to the extensive use of opioids.

Opioids are drugs that act on the nervous system to reduce pain, but their continued use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Aside from the danger opioids present for those who use them, they also place first responders, police officers and firefighters at an increased risk for exposure.

Heading to an overdose

Lehighton Ambulance Association Administrator Joni Gestl said they take the call like any other call, but that the only difference is that they can usually administer Narcan to reverse the physical symptoms (unconscious), as many refuse to be seen by a physician, and ultimately refuse any treatment/rehab to prevent this from becoming an ongoing vicious circle.

“They are not ‘cured.’ They still need a treatment program,” Gestl said.

Gestl said they had 253 responses to drug overdose dispatches last year.

Through the first 22 days of January, they were dispatched to 11 overdoses, she said.

Gestl said emergency first responders face many risks, such as scene safety, risk of exposure to the drug itself and/or needles, violence of the patient or bystanders if other drugs are taken along with the heroin.

She said that in the field, emergency first responders generally get dispatched for unconscious people.

Opioid epidemic

West Penn Township Police Chief Brian Johnson said heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl are the primary driving factors behind overdoses.

“It’s more of the overdosing issue, the accessibility, it almost becomes the norm,” Johnson said. “It’s amazing how it’s acceptable. It’s almost like people are proud that they’re doing it.”

He added, “It’s done in public anymore, it’s almost too accessible, almost too acceptable, rather than look at it like this is a bad thing, you shouldn’t do it.”

Johnson attributed much of the problem to the state-run facilities and state-run hospitals that have been shut down, which he said puts them out on the streets.

“They’re not getting their prescriptions, they’re leaning toward another drug to try to ease their pain,” he said. “You see the same people over and over again.”

Johnson added, “It’s unbelievable the epidemic that’s here. Unfortunately, it’s become more acceptable.”

“It’s not a disease, it’s a matter of choice,” he said.

Lehighton Borough Police Chief Brian Biechy said the department has noticed an increase in overdoses caused primarily by the use of heroin and methamphetamine.

Biechy said, “I think there is a definite problem with overdoses, but our borough is no different from anywhere else with the epidemic going around.”

Gestl attributed the spike in overdoses to heroin addiction.

“Opioid abuse is problematic for everyone,” she said. “Affects all avenues of society.”

Gestl said the impact it can have on families is devastating, and often leads to stress; stealing from family, neighbors, and local businesses to feed their habit; desperation for their next fix; loss of job due to the addiction; loss of family relationships; and street life.

She said resources for rehab are limited, and that many just sign out and continue the lifestyle without any change, only to continue their habit.

Recent Naloxone distribution

Some police departments carry Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Gestl said that Naloxone is short acting, noting that the drug they ingested may last longer than the Naloxone and they will again go into respiratory depression (unconsciousness) — unwitnessed — they can die.

She noted that in the last quarter of 2017, the Lehighton Ambulance Association signed up as the Centralized Coordinating Entity through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Gestl said Jamie Drake from the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission, along with the Carbon County Commissioners, expressed their support for Lehighton Ambulance to be the CCE.

Those who participate in the distribution and training in Carbon County include the Weatherly, Lansford, Summit Hill, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Franklin Township, Mahoning Township, Kidder Township, and Beaver Meadows police departments, Weatherly Ambulance, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, and Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation of Carbon County.

Gestl said the cost of Naloxone is between $130-$140. There is a 0-$20 copay for most insurances. Adapt Pharma (Narcan) costs $125.

“Narcan will save the life, but rehab and treatment will save the person,” she said. “This needs to be addressed. Money is the more difficult resolution than Naloxone distribution.”

Gestl added, “The Narcan is going to reverse the opioid, but it doesn’t mean we’ve fixed the problem.

“We need to put more money into treatment and rehab,” she said. “We’re trying to get them into a treatment program; these people need to want to get treatment.”