Today, we’re proud to recognize the first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day of action to raise public awareness about an urgent problem: people dying at alarming rates due to illegally made fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.
Founded by parents who have lost loved ones to this crisis, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is supported by a coalition of experts, companies, and partners who are coming together today to amplify this critical issue. The safety and well-being of our community are always of utmost importance, which is why Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services has joined this coalition to help spread the word. We encourage you to take action with us today to help this important cause.
Below are six key facts about the national fentanyl crisis:
- Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents.
- Practically all of the pills seized by law enforcement are fake, and 40% contain a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl.
- Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos, and Rx drugs COMBINED.
- Fake pills have been found in all 50 states. Assume any prescription med you see online is fake, including Oxy, Percocet, and Xanax.
- Fentanyl is cheap, potent, and profitable, so dealers use it to make fake pills. It can also be found in party drugs like cocaine and MDMA.
- Illegally made fentanyl is the primary driver of the recent increase in all U.S. overdose deaths. Fentanyl-involved deaths are the fastest growing among 14-23-year-olds.
Help Spread the Word
We encourage you to talk about this issue with your friends and family. More information and resources can be found at https://www.fentanylawarenessday.org/
Kate Austman, MD
