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The Ohio Turnpike is prepared to handle an emergency opioid overdose.
The state's Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has a plan to continue placing naloxone (or brand name Narcan) "revival" stations in service plazas.
These stations, proponents say, can mean life or death for many people who are experiencing an overdose from opioid drugs.
For example, at 2:29 p.m. on July 4, a 58-year-old man, a commercial truck driver, collapsed and was unconscious inside the Ohio Turnpike's Brady's Leap Service Plaza in Mantua (Portage County), according to a recent report from the turnpike commission.
"In less than 30 seconds, the service plaza's assistant manager retrieved two doses from the emergency naloxone cabinet in the main entrance lobby and handed the doses to the victim's brother, who administered two doses of naloxone nasal spray to revive the victim.
"After the local EMS arrived on the scene, it was discovered that the victim was prescribed pain medication and recently consumed double the prescribed use. After evaluation by the EMS, the victim refused transport to a medical facility and was released to his family member at the scene. The naloxone cabinet was refilled the next morning by 9 a.m."
HOW MANY?
Overdoses while operating a motor vehicle are concerning, but just how often they happen on the turnpike could not be quickly determined by the turnpike commission, Ohio State Highway Patrol, or the Ohio Department of Health because that specific type of data is kept at the local levels.
The commission took direction on its Emergency Naloxone Program in January, to protect the safety of its employees, first responders and traveling customers. The turnpike has provided access to naloxone nasal spray for opioid overdose assistance at all 55 facilities across the 241-mile toll road.
Throughout the 13 counties included, Narcan is available for lifesaving usage. Fatal overdoses caused by opioid drugs such as heroin, illicit fentanyl and prescription pain medications can be reversed if the drug is administered in time.
The Ohio Department of Health's Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naxolone) has partnered with the turnpike commission as a part of Gov. Mike DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative to expand naloxone access through increased distribution, according to the commission.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, prescription drug cases made up about 25 percent and nonprescription drug cases made up about 75 percent of overdose deaths statewide in 2022.
RESPONDER SAFETY
Chuck Cyrill, turnpike commission public information officer, explained that while the Ohio State Highway Patrol is a separate entity, officers are aware of the plan as first responders, and they are trained to assist in the event that an overdose happens.
"The Ohio Turnpike is prepared to handle an emergency opioid overdose," Cyrill said.
With overdose deaths (4,829) nearly four times greater than motor vehicle crash deaths (1,275) statewide in 2022, "employees and customers who witness an opioid overdose victim, or are accidentally exposed to an opioid, are now informed and have the wherewithal to locate and administer naloxone because of the program," he said.
"There are cases where the first responders were accidentally exposed to opioids while assisting an overdose victim. The Ohio Turnpike program will keep first responders safe so they can help save someone's life."
The naloxone cabinets have been installed in emergency service areas next to the AED (automated external difibrillator) and fire extinguishers. There are 31 toll plazas, eight maintenance buildings, an administration building, and a technology building. All of these include naloxone doses, in addition to the 14 service plazas.
Cyrill said foremen, assistant foremen, superintendents, assistant superintendents, and safety personnel carry naxolone kits in 38 maintenance vehicles.
"The naloxone doses were provided at no cost to the Ohio Turnpike by the Cleveland, Ohio-based MetroHealth System's Project DAWN program," Cyrill said.
If you witness someone experiencing a potential overdose, you should move your vehicle to a safe location and call 9-1-1 immediately for assistance.