The Franklin County Cornor's office says six drug overdose deaths were reported Monday, following three reported over the weekend.
The deaths were scattered across Columbus and Franklin County. According to initial testing, at least three of the deaths involved fentanyl mixed with other drugs. That's consistent with other recent surges in overdose deaths.
The coroner's office is reporting a 12% increase in the number of overdose deaths in Columbus from January to April, 169 this year, compared to 150 in the same period in 2018.
Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz suggests county residents with family or friends that might be at risk for overdose to be prepared by having Naloxone, the opiate reversal drug, on hand. Naloxone is available without a prescription at pharmacies. And she recomends users take advantage of fenatyl strips, that indicate the presence of the synthetic opioid. Fentanyl can be 100 times stronger than morphine.
The city of Columbus has more information on Naloxone, fentanyl testing strip and treatment options here.
