International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31 is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness of drug-related overdoses. Pasco Sheriff’s Office is committed to reducing the impact overdoses have on our community by providing supportive ways to help. Although mental health and substance abuse is a healthcare issue, it can often have a law enforcement element.

In 2019, PSO created one of Florida’s largest and most robust behavioral health units. The Behavioral Health Intervention Team (or BHIT) looks to make a meaningful impact on the lives of citizens with which they engage, by connecting them to services like mental health counselors,  substance abuse resources, stable housing and job placement services. PSO’s BHIT also includes a detective dedicated to meeting with those who recently experienced an overdose to connect them with resources, as well as support to seek recovery. In addition, BHIT helps citizens overcome common barriers to resources such as transportation and scheduling challenges, proper medication procedures and financial impact by connecting them with community resources and partners to aid them in these challenges.

Citizens may initially fear being approached by BHIT, as they associate law enforcement with arrests. The intention is the opposite; BHIT is here to help our community find treatment and recovery with community-based resources, and keep individuals out of the criminal justice system. BHIT detectives understand trust is vital for citizens’ reception of mental health and treatment. PSO is proud to connect citizens with services.

Many community resources are available for a broad range of needs. After finding that many citizens wanted help, but didn’t know where to begin, Pasco Sheriff’s Office compiled Pasco community-based resources on our website to give citizens a place to start on the road to recovery. These are available for various challenges that citizens may encounter, including mental health issues, houselessness, suicidal thoughts and more.

In addition to these resources, PSO wants to remind our community to never purchase prescription medication outside a licensed pharmacy. A pill’s appearance can’t be trusted and many counterfeit drugs appear strikingly similar to real medications. The only way to ensure medication is safe is to purchase it from a licensed and accredited medical professional and pharmacy. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has found that criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and marketing them as prescription medication, flooding the U.S. with deadly drugs such as fentanyl, just two milligrams of which can cause a fatal overdose. Fentanyl and other associated drugs can be cut into other narcotics, such as heroin, and can increase the strength of such drugs, which can lead to overdoses as well.

PSO also has other ways to combat dangerous drugs in our community. This includes the Highway Interdiction Team, which pairs specially trained deputies with narcotics detection K-9s to stem the flow of narcotics on PSO’s roadways. These teams have located trafficking amounts of drugs, firearms and other paraphernalia, and continue to work hard each day to keep Pasco’s streets safe. PSO members also work toward building strong cases against drug dealers to interrupt the drug supply chain.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to keeping Pasco County a safe place for all to live, work and play. While substance abuse and mental health challenges are healthcare issues, there can be a law enforcement element. PSO specialty units works to connect those in need with community-based resources to fit their individual situations and disrupt the flow of narcotics in the county. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, there is help available, and reaching out is a great first step on the road to recovery.