This fact is worth repeating - Fentanyl Kills. So much so that a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that Fentanyl has become the third leading cause of pediatric deaths in the U.S. Helping a loved one reduce their risk of an overdose is more critical than ever.
Our colleagues at the Partnership to End Addiction have shared 5 Facts to Know about Fentanyl so everyone can be prepared and keep loved ones safe.
1. Fentanyl is a lab-made opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine. As a prescription drug, it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain.
2. Illegal fentanyl is relatively cheap to produce - so many substances are laced with it, including heroin, meth, cocaine, and fake pills that look like Xanax and Oxycontin. People often don't even realize they are consuming fentanyl.
3. Because fentanyl is so powerful, those who aren't accustomed to using it can easily overdose, especially teens.
4. Naloxone (Narcan), a medication which can reverse an overdose, should be in every home as a precautionary measure. Naloxone is available at the pharmacy or from some local recovery centers.
5. If your loved one is at risk of consuming fentanyl, encourage them to take measures to reduce the risk of overdosing including:
*Carry naloxone
*Use fentanyl test strips
*Use the Brave app or Never Use Alone service
*Use fentanyl test strips
*Use the Brave app or Never Use Alone service
Learn more about Fentanyl poisoning and counterfeit pills
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