PEOPLE: Preventing opioid addiction and opioid overdose deaths are an urgent priority in U.S. communities and worldwide
AGN.News Team
February 25, 2023
ATLANTA (AGN.News) President Joe Biden and his administration via multiple federal agencies are addressing the rise across the country as well as other countries.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC reports there is an increased use and overdose deaths due to opioids in many communities of color nationwide. In some U.S. communities there are reports of three people dying everyday from opioid overdoses.
Transnational drug lords, gangs and other groups are flooding communities with fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Therefore, communities have to recognize the rise of fentanyl overdose cases and work to mitigate the situation.
Drug overdose deaths rapidly increased between 2019 and 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found this is having an outsize effect on minority groups.
In 2020, 91,799, over 251 people a day, of all races died in the United States from “illicitly manufactured” fentanyl and synthetic opioids. In 2020, 29 states experienced a four digit number of deaths from these opioids.
CDC: Opioid Overdose Prevention Measures
It starts with recognizing an opioid overdose, this can be difficult. If you aren’t sure, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose—you could save a life.
Call 911 or seek medical care for the individual. Do not leave the person alone. Signs of an overdose may include:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Pale, blue, or cold skin
CDC: Communities must address these issues
Many people do not have an alternative means of coping with stressful issues involving health, welfare, economic challenges, child care, and daily stresses many families are facing everyday.
As these stresses arise, many people may turn to a quick solution involving opioids. They may not realize the ramifications of illicit drug use.
Many local non-profit organizations and other local community service organizations may have resources to help those needing assistance coping with stressful personal or family issues that may arise.
There are other community agencies one can contact for individual and family support during crisis. If you or someone you know may be having an opioid problem – please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Law enforcement helps Communities
Federal law enforcement agencies recently reportedly confiscated enough fentanyl powder to kill every man, woman, and child in America. That was a mind-bending amount of illicit opioids that could have ended up being on the streets of America.
Many of the illicit drugs are made to look like real good prescription drugs. Some of these fentanyl pills come in various colors. They may be colors that may be appealing, like blue. Just because someone is selling drugs on social media, does not mean it’s safe to take. Remember, they may be deadly fentanyl pills.
Drug gangs are targeting young and old alike. In their mind, no one is too young or old to become a customer. These gangs are really motivated by profits at the expense of innocent lives.
Understanding the motivation of drug gangs means everyone needs to understand the deadly effect of illicit drugs. Everyone, including young adults and teenagers, needs be on alert to the dangers of “illicitly manufactured” fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
CDC: Naloxone (Narcan) save lives!
Learn about Naloxone. Naloxone can save lives. Naloxone when administered correctly when an overdose is detected can save lives.
Remember, Naloxone saves lives. Learn more about Naloxone by going to the CDC website here.
CDC and more Community videos
The Opioid Crisis Team recommends going here to watch informational and educational opioid overdose prevention videos.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an abundance of helpful tips and recommended directives to help anyone navigate the rise of opioid overdoses. You can find helpful information by going here.
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