Overdose spike alert in Buncombe County

Press release via Buncombe County Health and Human Services

Please be advised of a spike alert for an increase in overdoses in Buncombe County. A spike alert is called when the number of overdose calls indicating opioids or another illicit substance (usually tainted with fentanyl) goes above 8 in 24 / 48 hours. Over the last 24-48 hours, there has been a continued spike in opioid/fentanyl overdoses in Buncombe County including instances of fentanyl printed in Xanax and cocaine mixed with fentanyl.

We strongly encourage agencies to distribute Naloxone, share harm reduction information about this concerning spike, and encourage the use of fentanyl test strips on all substances. See the list below for local harm reduction partners and resources available across the county.

Harm Reduction Partners in Buncombe County

Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP)
WNCAP offers safer injection supplies, overdose reversal kits, testing, linkages to care and community navigation through their harm reduction program.
554 Fairview Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
9AM-5PM Monday-Friday

Buncombe County Health and Human Services
BCHHS offers a syringe service program and linkages to care as well STD / STI testing and treatment.
40 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
Monday-Friday, 12-4pm

Steady Collective
Steady Collective offers syringe access and disposal, overdose prevention resources, referrals to care and harm reduction education.
Tuesday 1:30pm-4pm -Mobile Distribution- Location: In front of Firestorm Books & Coop 610 Haywood Road, West Asheville
Wednesday 10:30am-12pm -Mobile Distribution- 271 Haywood Street, Downtown Asheville

Holler Harm Reduction
Holler Harm Reduction offers harm reduction supplies and overdose prevention materials
(828) 290-9066
Serving Madison County, North Buncombe and Leicester

Additional Resources:
·      Text the word START to 828-33-ALERT (828-332-5378) to subscribe to alerts about contamination in drug supplies in Buncombe County. The alerts are free, encrypted and anonymous.
·      If you or a loved one recently experienced an overdose, call (828) 712-2800 to access the Buncombe County Post-Overdose Response Team.
·      The Western North Carolina Listening Line is available for those who might need support at (828) 547-4547.

SHARE
About Community Bulletin
Mountain Xpress posts selected news and information of local interest as a public service for our readers. To submit press releases and other community material for possible publication, email news@mountainx.com.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.