Cover 2 Resources

Cover 2 Resources

Cover 2 Resources

  • Ep. 21 - Working Together to Fight Heroin Overdoses: Gordon Merry, Cabell County EMS Director

Ep. 21 - Working Together to Fight Heroin Overdoses: Gordon Merry, Cabell County EMS Director

Thursday 18th August 2016

Cabell County EMS Director Gordon Merry discusses responding to a mass heroin overdose in Huntington, WV, and offers strategies for combating the opioid crisis.
18 minutes
Informative
Hopeful
Supportive
Educational
Engaging

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Heroes in Action: Cabell County EMS’s Swift Response to a Heroin Crisis

We train with the Huntington police and Huntington fire. We routinely answer unfortunately overdoses together and we work together.
Imagine a day when 26 people overdose on heroin within just four hours. That was the grim reality in Huntington, West Virginia, on August 15, 2016. Thanks to the rapid response of emergency services, all of those affected survived. This episode of the Cover 2 Resources podcast features Gordon Merry, the EMS Director for Cabell County, who was at the helm of this lifesaving operation. Merry recounts the harrowing day and shares how his team managed to avert a tragedy.
He highlights the crucial role of teamwork between law enforcement and emergency services in handling such crises. Merry also delves into harm reduction strategies like naloxone administration and needle exchange programs that not only save lives but also offer addicts information on treatment options. The episode sheds light on the challenges posed by heroin laced with substances like fentanyl and carfentanil, which are far more dangerous and harder to treat.
Merry’s insights provide a blend of practical advice and hopeful messages, emphasizing that cooperation and innovative strategies are key to battling the opioid epidemic. If you’re keen to understand how emergency services can effectively respond to mass overdose situations and want to learn actionable tips for combating opioid addiction, this episode is a must-listen.