The Nevada Capitol in Carson City.
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Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau
Monday, October 10, 2022
Through the state Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada has announced plans to create a task force to address increasing rates of fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
Attorney General Aaron Ford’s Substance Use Response Working Group and the human services department’s Stephanie Woodard outlined the need for a task force earlier this week, officials said.
A spokesman said emergency department visits suspected of opioid-related overdoses increased by 66 percent compared to July 2022 through August. In addition, suspected stimulant-related overdose visits to the ER increased by 50 percent.
The spokesman said fentanyl is now pervasive in the national illicit drug supply and has been found in heroin as well as stimulants like meth and cocaine.
Gov. Steve Sisolak and Ford said the task force will be charged with determining necessary actions to reduce the risk of overdose in Nevada, preparing responses for the state and local jurisdictions if overdoses continue to increase and providing assistance, guidance and resources to implement best practices to reduce the risk of overdoses.
Officials say fentanyl test strips are now available and can be obtained at https://nvopioidresponse.org/harm-reduction/fts/fts-finder
