FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 15, 2022

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance (SNHRA) is hosting its sixth International Overdose Awareness Day event, from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, at Chuck Minker Sports Complex located at 275 N Mojave Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Guests can attend in person or virtually; the virtual event is available from 5:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and registration details are available at http://nvoverdoseday.com/. For more information about the event or the Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance, visit www.facebook.com/SoNVHarmReductionAlliance/.

International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the loss of friends and loved ones to fatal drug overdoses. The event will include testimonials with community members discussing their overdose-related experiences. A naloxone (Narcan®) training will be offered, and participants will have the opportunity to receive overdose prevention kits. In addition, food and community partners will provide information about services, including recovery resources.  The event will also feature an interactive display titled “Soul for Soles” which will remember and highlight people who are no longer able to walk with their friends and loved ones. Organizations can request shoes to give to their clients here: shoe donation request .

In 2021, there have been 619 drug overdose deaths among Clark County residents. Of these deaths opioids (prescription and illicit) accounted for 59.5 percent. Meanwhile, drug overdose deaths in Clark County increased 48.1 percent from 2019, whereas opioid-related deaths in Clark County increased by 56.6 percent in 2021. In 2021, the overdose death rate was highest in the 89101 ZIP code at 103.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents. Fentanyl continues to be a significant public health concern in Clark County and is driving the increase in opioid-related deaths.

The Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance (SNHRA) is composed of public health professionals, HIV providers, Addiction Specialists, Syringe Exchange programs, Substance Use Prevention Coalitions, Recovery Advocates, and Health Care representatives. Its mission is committed to the health and well-being of the people of Southern Nevada by reducing stigma, risks associated with sex, overdoses, and the harmful effects of drugs/substances within the community regardless of their circumstances. SNHRA also provides education and resources about reducing substance misuse and unintentional overdose deaths, as well as reducing the risks of acquiring or transmitting bloodborne infections. Each month, the Southern Nevada Health District, in conjunction with members of SNHRA, provides testing for HIV and hepatitis C, sterile syringes, overdose prevention, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, substance use disorder linkage to services and homeless services. In February of 2017, the first comprehensive needle/syringe exchange program in Clark County began operating at Trac-B Exchange, a member of the Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance. In addition, there are five syringe vending machines placed within service provider organizations.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.