This is Drug Overdose Prevention Week and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, along with other local and state partners, continues to help equip the community with the resources and support needed to prevent substance misuse and provide access to intervention, treatment, and recovery services.
Recent data from the Lincoln Police Department shows a continued decline in total overdoses in Lincoln over the last several years, down more than 53% from a peak of 224 in 2021 to 105 last year. Included in those numbers are fatal overdoses, which dropped more than 53% as well, from 45 in 2021 to 21 in 2024.
When evaluating fentanyl specifically, more than 80% of all fentanyl overdoses in 2020 were fatal. By 2024, that number dropped to 14%, due to increased awareness of and access to Narcan. “We can all play a role in preventing drug overdoses and poisonings,” says David Humm, Health Promotion Manager. “Collaborative work is ongoing throughout the year, but we take this opportunity to raise awareness about overdoses while helping avoid stigmatization, promote treatment and celebrate recovery.”
LPD encourages residents to report overdose cases to law enforcement and become familiar with the Good Samaritan Law (NRS 28-472). Those who request immediate medical assistance for a person overdosing will not be arrested for unlawful drug-related acts connected to the incident.
Those with information about people distributing illegal drugs, especially in cases that led to overdoses, are urged to call the LPD non-emergency number at 402-441-6000, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force at 402-441-8181 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
Fore details on resources and how to obtain Narcan click here.