Fentanyl Facts
We Can Tell You Everything About Fentanyl
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Drug Overdose Deaths Among Northampton County Residents in 2023*
Fentanyl Poisoning: It Can Happen to ANYONE.
Top 5 Facts You Should Know About Fentanyl
01.
One Pill Can Kill
Fentanyl clumps together, so it's not evenly distributed in a batch of drugs. If you have four non-prescription pills, one can be fatal even if the others aren't.
02.
Fentanyl Comes In Many Forms
Fentanyl moving through the street market comes in the form of a white, gray or tan powder and can be injected, smoked, or snorted. It has also been found in other drugs, like heroin, meth, cocaine, marijuana and pressed pills.
03.
Emoji Drug Code
By using symbols instead of words in texts or emails, people can try to conceal details of their conversations from general surveillance or get around filters that look for certain keywords. They also may be able to hide their conversations from parents and others who might recognize words like cocaine or marijuana but may not fully understand the context of seeing a diamond or a snowflake.
04.
Lehigh Valley +40% Above National Avg.
Overdose rates in Lehigh Valley have been consistently 40%–70% over the national average according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Drug Overdose Deaths.
05.
NARCAN Saves Lives!
Naloxone is a lifesaving drug that counteracts the effects of opioids in the body in the event of an overdose. Available as an injectable called Evzio or as a nasal spray called NARCAN, NARCAN can be purchased over the counter without a prescription from major pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. It’s very important to call 911 immediately after administering NARCAN because it only lasts 30 to 90 minutes.
Fentanyl Frequently Asked Questions
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids.
How does it affect the body? Similar to other opioid analgesics, fentanyl produces effects such as: relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell. There is nothing you can see, smell or taste making fentanyl that much harder to detect.
Yes. NARCAN is a medication which can reverse a fentanyl overdose. It’s important to note that because of the strength of fentanyl, multiple doses of NARCAN may be necessary. If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.
Fentanyl is much cheaper to make than other opioids. It is also easier to smuggle because small amounts are very powerful. It is a lot easier to smuggle in a baggie of Fentanyl powder than kilogram bricks of other drugs for the same profit margin. It is highly addictive, making individuals need more to chase their first high.
Talk with your kids about Fentanyl. Address any underlying concerns that may lead to your child to take Fentanyl intentionally or unintentionally. Be aware of what your child is doing on their phone. Non-prescription pills and other drugs are now often purchased online or through social media.
Xylazine is being found in the fentanyl supply in the Lehigh Valley.
Pronounced ‘zy-la-zeen’ and known on the street as “tranq dope,” the mix of fentanyl and an animal sedative is deepening addiction, baffling law enforcement and causing wounds so severe that some result in amputation.
“I’d wake up in the morning crying because my arms were dying.”
Fentanyl: Fact vs Fiction
FACT.
Based on death record data, 54.4% of drug overdose deaths occurred in the decedent’s own home. This highlights the importance of getting naloxone into the hands of community members, particularly friends and family of people who use opioids.
FICTION.
A young adult or teen dies every 12 minutes in this country from Fentanyl.
FACT.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), NARCAN will not harm a person who has not actually ingested opioids, so if you suspect an opioid overdose, do not hesitate to administer NARCAN.
FACT.
Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with deadly fentanyl, are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms – making them available to anyone with a smartphone. Emoji “codes” are used to keep it secretive.
FICTION.
There is no easy way of knowing whether there is fentanyl in your non-prescription pill or not. You can not see, taste, or smell fentanyl.
FICTION.
Over 12 kilograms of Fentanyl was seized in the Lehigh Valley in 2021. An average car tire weighs 12 -15 kilograms.
FICTION.
To combat the growing overdose crisis, in 2015 Pennsylvania opened 45 “Centers of Excellence” all over the state – these centers not only ensure that every person with Opioid Use Disorder has access to treatment options, but also makes sure their outside needs are met so they have the option to get the help they need. This includes social needs like job training, housing and transportation support, education services, and childcare, among others.
FACT.
Act 139 Good Samaritan Law & Standing Order for naloxone allows anyone to get NARCAN with no prescription needed. Having NARCAN on hand helps you save a life. Getting trained on how to use NARCAN and being informed on what an overdose looks like are crucial in emergency situations.
Learn the Signs of an Overdose
Anyone can save a life. Be prepared to act in the event of a fentanyl overdose or poising.
