National Fentanyl Awareness Day launches, Tuesday, May 10, 2022

National Fentanyl Awareness Day launches, Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Founded by parents who have lost loved ones to the drug overdose epidemic, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is supported by a group of subject matter experts, corporations, nonprofits, schools, families, and elected officials who are coming together to amplify the issue.

Why should you care?

This is a national public health crisis. People, especially young people, are ingesting illegally manufactured fentanyl without knowing it an dying at alarming rates as a result.

The date was purposely set during Mental Health Awareness Month to amplify the warning message about self-medication at a time when counterfeit pills have flooded the illicit drug market. The goal is to leverage as many organizations and communication channels as possible to reach the most vulnerable demographics.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is often found in non-pharmaceutical made pills that look like, and are sold as, oxy, percocet, xanax, vicodin, cocaine and more. It is cheap, potent and profitable, so dealers use it to make fake pills.

Fentanyl is extremely potent. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl, an amount equal to two grains of sand, can kill a person.

• Illegally made fentanyl is the primary driver of the recent increase in all U.S. overdose deaths.
• Fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing amount 14-23 year olds.
• It is involved in more American youth drug deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos and prescriptions drugs COMBINED.
• Practically all of the pills seized by law enforcement are fake, and 40% contain a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl.
• Fake pills have been found in all 50 states. Assume any prescription medication you see online is fake, including Oxy, Percocet, and Xanax.

What we can do?

• Know the facts about Fentanyl and share with your friends!
• If you are a parent or educator, DON’T AVOID THE TOPIC! – Mental Health is the key factor!
• Discuss Mental Health with your children.
• Monitor your child’s social media.

If you or someone you know if suffering from Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder, please contact CareSouth Carolina’s MAT/SUD Department for help today! Get the help you need today!

#NationalFentanylAwarenessDay