Ga. group comes to Augusta to spread awareness on overdoses

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Fentanyl deaths are on the rise in Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported a 308% increase from 2019 to 2022.

That’s more than 1,600 lives lost to overdose.

For the past two days, Georgia Overdose Prevention has been in Augusta to hand out Narcan, hygiene kits and opioid overdose rescue kits.

We were there to learn more about how they’re trying to help the CSRA lower overdose deaths.

“There is unfortunately a lot of drug use in this area,” said Harm Reduction Advocate Dolly Neese.

It’s something Neese is familiar with.

“Around the first nine months of my recovery journey, 10 of my friends overdosed and died back-to-back. And I was living in Athens, Georgia at the time, and I really wanted to do something to help,” said Neese.

It brings her to Augusta with other volunteers from the Georgia Overdose Prevention.

Nicoll Gentry, recovery advocate and volunteer with Georgia Overdose Prevention, said: “Augusta is an affected area, and we can’t just continue to ignore a problem.”

You never know who will show up here.

Neese said: “It’s family members of people who use drugs; it’s drug users themselves.”

Gentry said: “I’ve seen a lot of parents whose kids haven’t made it out of addiction yet. It helped me realize what I put my mom through. I was able to share some hope that there is the other side of addiction.”

The first step is reaching people where they are.

“There’s no judgment because we’ve been there,” said Gentry.

Neese said: “Regardless of what people decide, I just believe that they deserve life and dignity. So that’s what really drives me is just to give people the opportunity to have another day.”

If you or a loved one need access to any of the resources Georgia Overdose Prevention provides, you can reach them on their website or on Facebook.

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