Drug overdose deaths up in Maui County, Kauai as fentanyl use grows
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii saw another rise in fatal overdoses last year — fueled by the increase use of fentanyl.
Preliminary data from the state’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program show an alarming jump in deaths in Maui County in 2023. Gary Yabuta, of Hawaii HIDTA, said the figures on Maui were steady throughout the year and did not spike after the August wildfires.
And there’s no indication the situation is getting better.
First responders statewide have been called to multiple mass overdoses in recent weeks.
On Oahu, Thomas Square was the site of five calls in one weekend in April.
Three people in the park needed drug overdose treatment on April 27. The next day, two men died after suspected fentanyl use in the park.
The rise in 911 calls is taking a toll on first responders.
“The more patients there are, the more resources we’re having to use and send,” said Sunny Johnson, paramedic supervisor at Honolulu EMS.
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Johnson said EMS is already taxed and more calls mean people are waiting longer for help to arrive.
The data shows only Hawaii Island had a decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, with 32.
The previous year, that number was 34.
Hawaii County police and the prosecutor’s office report drug arrests, indictments and convictions and show law enforcement there have targeted drug operations.
Honolulu reported 220 fatal overdoses in 2023, the same as 2022.
Kauai jumped to 30 from 23 the previous year.
But, Maui County saw a 49% jump, from 43 to 64 deaths.
Combined, those two counties pushed up the state numbers 6% for a total of 346 fatalities in 2023.
Most of those are still the result of meth use, but that is starting to slow.
The total number of people who died with meth in their system was 222 last year. The year prior, it was 201 for an increase of 10%.
Fentanyl-related deaths, though, were up 35% statewide, up to 107 from 79.
“There’s so much drugs coming in,” said Yabuta.
The growing availability of the antidote, Naloxone or Narcan, does appear to be making a difference, Yabuta said.
“It starts that care early and can help reverse some of those effects,” Johnson said.
Police officers, firefighters, other bystanders are using the nasal version until EMS can arrive with intravenous Narcan, which works quicker.
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Without the widespread use of the medicine, the fatal overdose numbers from fentanyl and other opioids would certainly be much higher, Yabuta said.
Narcan can be provided by the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) to any individuals who want it, for free on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, by calling (808) 521-2437.
HHHRC also provides online training on how to use the medicine, click here to request training.
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