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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Over two-dozen overdoses in Ocala in 2020

Over two dozen overdoses have already occurred in Ocala in 2020.

The total figure was provided by Ocala Police Department Chief Greg Graham during Tuesday’s meeting of the Ocala City Council.

Graham indicated that through the year, the department had dealt with 28 overdoses, and five accidental deaths.

“We saved 14 people with NARCAN, and to date, we’ve had 217 people participate in amnesty,” said Graham, referring to the amnesty program offered by the Ocala Police Department.

Last month, Graham reported that 166 people lost their lives from overdoses during 2019, a 10 percent decrease from 2018 (187). During that meeting, Graham indicated that the numbers were better, but still needed to decrease.

“The numbers are going in the correct direction, but I don’t think they’re going as far down as they need to,” said Graham.