A group of Cortland County agencies and volunteers are joining a broad coalition of nonprofit organizations, corporations, government agencies and schools to support the first ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day on May 10, 2022. This day aims to draw attention to the increase in drug-related deaths caused by illicit fentanyl and to start a conversation on the local and national scale about what can be done to solve the problem.
What is the difference between illicit fentanyl and legally prescribed fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is used in medical settings to help relieve pain, but fentanyl is also manufactured illicitly. Locally and nationally, people continue to find unexpected fentanyl contaminating the drug supply. Members of our community think that they know what they’re using, but more and more often, they’re also using fentanyl without choosing to. Fentanyl has been detected in the heroin supply, as well as in counterfeit prescription pills and in cocaine.
Some alarming facts:
- Data from the CDC show that illicit fentanyl has been involved in more deaths of Americans under the age of 50 than any other conditions such as heart disease, illness, cancer, suicide, homicide, or other accidents.
- For the 12-month period ended in September 2021, drug deaths grew fastest among people aged 19 and under, increasing by 26%. Illicit fentanyl was involved in 76% of drug deaths for this age group.
- Additionally, a whopping 73% of youth are unaware that fentanyl can be created into fake prescription pills. Due to the increase of illicit fentanyl in many substances, anyone who uses drugs can be at risk of an overdose.
Knowledge is key.
Fentanyl Awareness Day is looking to spread potentially lifesaving information– widely and quickly– to the American public. Certain harm reduction strategies have been proven to save lives. Narcan, a safe and effective medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, is becoming more widely available and anyone can get trained and carry a kit. It is important to never use alone and test drugs when possible. Local groups and volunteers will be doing street outreach on May 10th. Visit the Healing Cortland Facebook Page or the event page for more information: https://fb.me/e/2oe8KovWk
To learn more about fentanyl visit www.fentanylawarenessday.org/facts-about-fentanyl
