Fentanyl
is a synthetic opioid that is used in medical practice as a pain medication and
anesthetic. It is also produced illegally and has been identified in the
illicit drug market throughout Maryland, as well as in neighboring states and
Canada.
Pure fentanyl is
extremely potent – about 100 times more potent than morphine – and can
therefore be toxic in small amounts. Fentanyl or one of its analogs can be
mixed with and sold as heroin, cocaine, and other drugs, or pressed into fake prescription
pills. Fentanyl is often unable to be detected by look, smell or taste. Because
of this, a substance may be much more toxic than the person who is buying and
using it realizes.
Overdoses involving
fentanyl can occur more suddenly and may be more likely to result in death. In
the first half of 2016, deaths related to fentanyl accounted for about half of
all unintentional intoxication deaths in Maryland.
An overdose involving
fentanyl can be reversed with naloxone; however, it is important to administer
naloxone as quickly as possible, and multiple doses may be necessary. When an
opioid overdose is encountered, call 911 immediately. More information and
resources regarding fentanyl can be found below.
Fentanyl and Overdose:
Harm Reduction Strategies Webinar, December 20th, 2016
View the webinar:
1.
Click the link below
to be taken to a registration page.
2.
Enter your first name,
last name, and email address.
3.
Click “Register.”
4.
The webinar recording
will open and begin to play.
https://attendee.gototraining.com/96p3t/recording/209569494760754178
“Fentanyl and
Overdose: Harm Reduction Strategies” webinar slides
Maryland Fentanyl
Resources:
Overdose Data and
Reports
Fentanyl fact sheet
Public Awareness
Campaign
Baltimore City
Fentanyl Task Force
Baltimore City
Fentanyl Flyer
Additional Public
Education Materials:
Fentanyl Is In NYC
Poster
Waterloo, Canada
Fentanyl Poster
Know Your Source,
Canadian website with information about fentanyl and posters for download
Other Links and
Resources:
DEA Fentanyl Alert
March 2015
DEA Emerging Threat
Report Mid-Year 2016
CDC Fentanyl AlertOctober 2015
DEA Counterfeit
Prescription Pill and Fentanyl Warning July 2016
CDC Fentanyl-laced
Counterfeit Pill Alert August 2016
National Drug EarlyWarning System (NDEWS) Webinar: “Understanding the Relationship betweenPrescription Opioid Misuse and Heroin Abuse” including findings from
ethnographic research with drug users in Baltimore (presentation starts from
55:15)
“Emerging IllicitFentanyl Overdose Epidemic: the View from Rhode Island” including findings from
real-time ethnographic surveillance of drug users in Rhode Island (from slide
59)