31/08/2023
As it is International Overdose Awareness day, I wanted to re-share one of our posts. While, Fentanyl is far from being the only substance to overdose on, it is quickly becoming one of the most prolific.
Have you seen the billboard pictured below and wondered what it was all about?
Did you know that fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is up to 50 times stronger than he**in and a major contributor to fatal overdoses in the U.S.? It's alarming, but there's hope for change! Let's dive into the facts:
1️⃣ Fentanyl Types:
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical and illicitly manufactured. The former is prescribed by doctors to manage severe pain, but it can be misused and diverted. The latter is sold illegally, often mixed with other substances, posing a grave threat to public health.
2️⃣ Danger of Fentanyl:
Fentanyl's potency is incredibly dangerous. Just 2 mg (about a grain of sand) can be a potentially lethal dose. Improper mixing or miscalculations during production can lead to fatal consequences. In 2020, over 92,000 overdose deaths occurred, primarily due to opioids like fentanyl.
3️⃣ Oklahoma's Harm Reduction Campaign:
To combat the rising fentanyl crisis, the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is launching a Harm Reduction campaign. This initiative aims to provide easy access to Naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl testing strips through vending machines strategically placed across the state. The testing strips provide a way to test pills for the presence of fentanyl in hopes to save lives.
4️⃣ Saving Lives:
Naloxone, a life-saving medication, rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. By making Naloxone widely available, we can normalize its usage and empower individuals to save lives. Nearly 300,000 Oklahomans report substance abuse disorders, and Harm Reduction campaigns like this can make a significant difference.
🔗 Stay Informed:
Keep an eye on the campaign's website, okimready.org, for updates on vending machine locations and other vital information. Together, we can fight substance abuse, save lives, and support those in need.
Remember, it's not just for you; it's for your neighbors and loved ones. Let's be heroes in this battle against the fentanyl overdose crisis!
Sources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/fentanyl
The Oklahoman: https://oklahoman.com/article/6172081/campaign-aims-to-get-naloxone-into-hands-of-oklahomans
https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl