Fire officials urge ‘harm reduction measures’ after April overdoses in shoreline communities

CT Insider – Sunday, April 13, 2025
By Jessica Bravo

There were eight overdoses reported in Connecticut’s shoreline communities within four days in April, according to officials, one of which was fatal.

The Branford Fire Department said in a Facebook post that the overdoses took place in the Branford, East Haven and Guilford communities and occurred between April 5 and 8.

“That’s why we urge you to take harm reduction measures if you or someone you know uses drugs,” the fire department wrote. “If you’re using, please remember: Do Not Use Alone and keep a Naloxone kit handy.”

Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, “is a prescription medication that reverses opioid overdoses,” according to the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addition Services. There are several ways to get naloxone, the agency’s website says, along with video instructions on how to use it.

“This simple step can reverse an overdose and give you or someone else a second chance,” the department said.

The fire department also recommended people to keep fentanyl testing strips to test substances before using them.

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