LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Drug overdose deaths it goes all over the country, but not here in Nevada.

The state saw an increase based on the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Volunteer Adam Perlis with the local recovery group There is No Hero in Heroin Foundation says he sees less stigma with Las Vegas locals seeking help.

What he doesn’t see is his brother who recently died of an overdose.

Perlis has this message about how widespread the problem is. “Everybody you know was like, ‘Oh my God, you know somebody who overdosed.’ And these days, it seems like everybody knows somebody who’s had that kind of situation,” Perlis said. “It’s becoming more and more regular. Three months ago, my brother overdosed.”

Perlis says she turned her pain into purpose.

“All I can do is look at it positively and try to help anyone with my story and reach out to anyone I can help, regardless of age,” Perlis said.

In Nevada, many people need this help. Despite the decline in drug overdose deaths across the country, there was a 26 percent increase in overdose deaths here, making Nevada the second-highest increase nationally behind Alaska in a for a year.

Perlis believes Narcan can curb the disturbing trend. The drug can treat overdose in an emergency situation.

Dr. Taylor Lensch with the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno believes it is helpful. He oversees the Overdose Data to Action program, which provides more timely data on opioid mortality.

Dr. Lensch tells the FOX5 quote, “We’ve started to see a downward shift in emergency department visits for suspected overdoses over the last few months here in Nevada, so hopefully that means we’re going to start to see a downward shift in that trend in the near future. .”

It would be welcome news for Perlis.

“I’m hoping and trying to be sure it’s going to get better, and if the numbers are going down, then obviously we’re doing something that’s working,” Perlis said. “But I just know it hasn’t gotten better for a while and so I just wanted to help in any way I could.”

Dr. Lensch says that moving forward, the state must continue to allocate resources to prevent overdose deaths, both in terms of prevention and treatment, and that we reduce the stigma of getting help.

For a list of the many local agencies and organizations that offer addiction treatment and recovery, explore this link to connect with resources that are readily available.

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