JEMS called to nine ODs on Friday

In a 24-hour period Friday, Jay Emergency Medical Services responded to nine overdose calls in Jay County.

“I think there must have been a new batch that came through,” said Eric Moore, who took over as the head of JEMS last month. “I’d already left work for the day, and I got a call from the shift supervisor saying they were getting hammered with calls.”

Between 5:03 p.m. and 6:36 p.m. Friday, there were four overdose calls in Portland. According the Portland Fire Chief Mike Weitzel, there were also three walk in overdoses Friday to the emergency room at Jay County Hospital.

Portland Police Chief Nathan Springer said the surge in overdoses caused added strain on the city’s police force.

“We had to call extra people in because of it, which takes resources away from elsewhere,” Springer said. “We’ve got a lot going on to try and combat it. Not just enforcement, but our officers carry drug resource guides, and we have them at the station to give out.”

Springer added that the next Portland neighborhood watch meeting will focus on drug awareness, and will be held 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Portland Fire Station.

Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman has invited representatives from JEMS, Portland Police Department, Portland Fire Department and other groups to come and discuss the issue at the Portland City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. tonight.

Last year, JEMS responded to 142 overdose calls. At the rate calls have come in this year, Moore said the total could reach into the 200s or 300s if overdoses continue at the same pace.

“It’s definitely a big issue,” Moore said. “It’s not just here, it’s everywhere.”

Saturday and Sunday saw two more overdose calls made to JEMS, and one additional call for Portland Police to respond to an overdose situation at Jay County Hospital.

Because of privacy concerns, Jay County Hospital would not release totals on the number of emergency room walk-ins with overdoses from the weekend