Health department and recovery center report local overdose and treatment figures

Laredo — Public‑health staff and a local recovery provider reported monthly overdose response numbers, harm‑reduction distributions and recent recovery‑center admissions during the Drug and Alcohol Commission meeting.

Public‑health report: Dr. Richard Chamberlain reported harm‑reduction distributions at a health‑department vending machine and other outlets and said, “We did distribute 11 Narcan's this past month here at the Reno Public Health Vending Machine.” He also listed overdoses reported by the fire department in June by ZIP code: 5 in 78040, 4 in 78041, 4 in 78043, 1 in 78045 and 2 in 78046. Chamberlain said overdoses rose in March–May but that there were three reported deaths in June compared with five in 2024; he characterized the year‑to‑date trend as lower than last year but noted recent increases.

Recovery center data: On behalf of Dr. Liana Martinez, the Rich Recovery Center reported 41 admissions in the past month: 27 males and 14 females. Presenters said more than half of those admissions were covered by insurance, 30 admissions involved co‑occurring (dual) diagnoses, and 16 patients with hepatitis C were referred to the health department. The recovery center reported a current census of 15 patients and said they continue to process pending admissions.

Why it matters: The public‑health update and provider data together indicate continued community need for harm‑reduction supplies, treatment access and coordinated referrals for conditions such as hepatitis C; commissioners discussed outreach and upcoming overdose‑awareness events during the meeting.

What’s next: Staff said they will continue monthly reporting and coordinate community outreach and the commission’s August overdose‑awareness activities.