Orange County: Carrie Proudfit 407-836-5429
OCSO: Capt. Carlos Torres 407-254-7346

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Reports Spike in Heroin-Related Overdoses

Orange County, Aspire Health Partners Launch Emergency Community Outreach Efforts

Who: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Government, Aspire Health Partners

What: Since the beginning of the year, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has responded to over 156 cases of suspected heroin-related overdoses, with a total of nine deaths. Most of these cases have occurred within a concentrated area of Orange County, along the Orange Blossom Trail (between Americana and Kaley avenues). In response, Orange County Government and Aspire Health Partners are launching additional support to assist law enforcement officers to address this public health crisis.

At the direction of Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs a series of emergency educational sessions will be conducted at the Holden Heights Community Center beginning tomorrow morning, Feb. 13 (media not permitted). The community sessions will offer individuals and families:

  • Access to Naloxone (Narcan).
  • Information on how to safely administer Naloxone (Narcan) in an overdose emergency.
  • Information on local drug treatment providers and services, including inpatient and community-based options.
  • Counselors will be on-site to answer questions and provide guidance.

Additionally, Orange County Fire Rescue personnel will be distributing life-saving information to residences within the affected area later in the week.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office have continued to report an increase in the number of deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic versions of opium – the drug found in heroin). Fentanyl and its analogs are significantly stronger than heroin and can increase a user’s risk of fatal overdose. In 2016, the total number of deaths attributed to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs was 87 as compared to 142 deaths between January and October of 2017. The final numbers for 2017 are pending.

Individuals who are not able to attend the sessions can obtain information on local drug treatment services by dialing 211 or online at OCFLHeroesAgainstHeroin.org. There is also a heroin toolkit available online that includes additional educational and prevention information.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 13 and Thursday, Feb. 15
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Where: Holden Heights Community Center
1201 20th St., Orlando, FL 32805

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ABOUT THE ORANGE COUNTY HEROIN TASK FORCE
Orange County’s collaborative, multi-jurisdictional Heroin Task Force was comprised of 22 key community leaders, lending their expertise and staff in the areas of law enforcement, healthcare, treatment, education and prevention as well as public policy. The Task Force adopted 37 recommendations for implementation. In addition to legislative advocacy during the 2017 session, Task Force members were key to getting Naloxone (also known as Narcan) into the hands of more first responders – especially law enforcement – through legislative action in the 2016 session. In partnership with Orange County’s Corrections team, the Task Force was instrumental in the launch of the Vivitrol program, a medication-assisted treatment program administered through the Orange County Jail that helps inmates fight addiction before they are released.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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