Never Use Alone

By Alisha Martin, Program Coordinator, Overdose Response Program

Garrett County Health Department’s Overdose Response Program is urging people who use drugs to “Never Use Alone.” Using drugs alone increases the risk of a fatal overdose. Making an overdose prevention plan and sharing it with someone you trust to give you Naloxone (Narcan) if needed is crucial in preventing an overdose. If you have not used opioids in a while, your tolerance will be lower, and the risk of overdose will be greater. You are also at greater risk of an overdose if you have overdosed previously.

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin. Even a few grains of fentanyl can be deadly. Since you are unable to see, taste, or smell fentanyl, you wouldn’t be able to determine if fentanyl is in your drug supply. Fentanyl is frequently used as a cutting agent in the drug supply due to its availability, high potency, and low production cost. It can be in a powder, liquid, or pill form.

The Overdose Response Program (ORP) at Garrett County Health Department offers Naloxone (Narcan) and Overdose Response Training at no cost. Check out our training class schedule for 2025, or call Alisha Martin, Harm Reduction Program Coordinator, to set up a separate training for yourself or your place of business. However, training is not required to receive a Naloxone kit. Individuals can stop by our office located within the health department’s Health Education & Outreach Unit Room 206, Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, to receive Naloxone. Individuals can also call in to request a naloxone kit be mailed to them at no charge. Each kit a person will receive contains 2 doses of Naloxone nasal spray. In addition to dispensing Naloxone, the ORP offers fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and wound care supply kits at no cost to you.

Please reach out to Alisha at 301-334-7724 with any questions.