Cobb & Douglas Public Health partners with local emergency services and public safety agencies to provide naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, to the residents of Cobb County who are at most risk for overdose deaths.  

Opioid overdose deaths, especially due to the synthetic opioid fentanyl, have been on the rise in Cobb County.  All Cobb County fire departments, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service, and Puckett EMS have begun providing free “leave behind kits” to patients and/or their families after responding to an opioid overdose. These kits will include the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, Dispose Rx for proper medication destruction, and resources for treatment and recovery services.  Additionally, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is now providing similar kits to those leaving incarceration who have an opioid use disorder.  The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office kits include the addition of hygiene supplies and Sweetwater Mission has contributed socks.  Cobb & Douglas Public Health will also be distributing naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, and Dispose Rx during overdose prevention community events. This project is made possible through Cobb County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, “For patients currently taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for pain, individuals misusing prescription opioids, individuals using illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, health care practitioners, family and friends of people who have an opioid use disorder, and community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose, knowing how to use naloxone and keeping it within reach can save a life.”

For more information on the opioid crisis, recovery resources, where you can get naloxone, and how to use naloxone, please visit: https://cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org/programs/opioid-response/.

About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb & Douglas Public Health, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, has been committed to the mission of “Healthier Lives. Healthier Community.” since 1920. We are dedicated to improving our residents’ quality of life by tracking and preventing the spread of disease, promoting health and safety, providing exceptional medical services, and ensuring that our community is prepared for public health emergencies. For more information, visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org.