Tuesday, May 9 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
The day is an opportunity to remember the victims of fentanyl poisoning and educate the public about the deadly threat that fentanyl poses to America.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
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It takes just two milligrams, equivalent to a few grains of salt, to cause a fatal overdose.
“Fentanyl is the greatest threat to Americans today. It kills more Americans between the ages of 18 to 45 than terrorism, than car accidents, than cancer, than COVID. It kills nearly 200 Americans every day. And the number of children under 14 dying from fentanyl poisoning has increased at an alarming rate,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The two drug cartels responsible for bringing fentanyl into the United States—the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels—are intentionally driving addiction by selling fake pills and hiding fentanyl in other drugs, and they are reaching our kids through using social media platforms. I encourage you to use this day to talk to your families about the dangers of fentanyl and have an important conversation with your kids about who they are communicating with on social media.”
Fentanyl comes in two forms: pills and powder.
According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the two drug cartels responsible for the influx of fentanyl coming into this country - the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels - are hiding fentanyl in fake pills that look like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Xanax, and amphetamines.
Those cartels are also mixing fentanyl powder with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, according to the DEA.
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Many of the people poisoned by fentanyl are taking other drugs and have no idea they are laced with fentanyl.
The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, 60% now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
That’s up from 40% in 2021.
Narcan (naloxone) is a spray medication that can revive someone who has overdosed on opioids and often save their life.
Below are some resources on fentanyl awareness, Narcan, a support group for families impacted by drug abuse, recovery, and more.
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RESOURCES:
- Fentanyl awareness
- Overdose prevention
- Where to get free Narcan
- Support for families impacted by drug abuse
- Recovery
- Home safety from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Georgia Poison Center
IN OTHER NEWS:
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