Stark County Health Department launches #TogetherWeCan campaign to combat overdose deaths

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – In response to the loss of 152 lives to overdose in Stark County in 2023, the Stark County Health Department is launching a week-long #TogetherWeCan campaign in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. The initiative aims to educate the community about overdose prevention and provide critical resources to those in need.

The campaign emphasizes recognizing the signs of an overdose and knowing where to get naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose. The health department's Save Stark page offers a search function to help citizens find naloxone distribution sites.

The #TogetherWeCan campaign also raises awareness of the dangers of xylazine, a non-opioid sedative that is often mixed with illegal drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl and heroin.

The health department encourages anyone struggling with substance abuse to get help by calling the Coleman Crisis Hotline at 330-452-6000 and reminds those affected to never use drugs alone.

In addition to the campaign, the Stark County HealthMobile continues to provide overdose education and naloxone distribution to the community. Residents can learn about the nearest HealthMobile locations by texting CARE to 1-855-640-8285.

The Stark County Combined General Health District is the ninth largest in Ohio, serving more than 250,000 people in 17 townships, 12 villages and the cities of Louisville, North Canton and Canal Fulton.

This story was written with the assistance of AI.