Sons and daughters are being found in parking lots, on the streets, and even in driveways, suffering from a misjudged pill.
Families are concerned and worried for our youth as fentanyl is beginning to leak into our small town. These tragedies are increasingly becoming more and more notable, and closer to home in Placer County. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but 50 to a 100 times more potent. When used correctly fentanyl can be helpful in aiding in a long time of endurance of pain. Fentanyl is prescribed by a doctor in extreme cases for pain management. A doctor may prescribe fentanyl in the form of a shot, patch, or even a lozenge that can be sucked on like cough drops. However the ones guilty of recent deadly overdoses are illegally made in labs.
It has become more popular for drug dealers to cut their product with fentanyl, this means they can sell less and cheaper products for the same price, but still maintain a potent high to their customer. Not many are willingly taking fentanyl because of the known risks and high likelihood for an overdose so many are unaware of what they are even taking. Unfortunately the customer will unknowingly consume a deadly amount, slowing down their breathing resulting in hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs when not enough blood reaches the brain, resulting in a coma, permanent brain damage, or death.
To combat recent overdoses in an attempt to save lives, the local police department has recently begun to carry naloxone. This is a narcotic similar to narcan that works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain helping to restore breathing.
According to Public Information Officer Angela Musallam, it appears that platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram are popular ways for youth and young adults to get a hold of illegal street drugs.
Street drugs sold on social media are notoriously laced with fentanyl, the most popular form now are currently fake pills laced. As a result of these fake pills overdose deaths this year alone have doubled in numbers with the majority becoming increasingly more of a result of fentanyl.
Signs of overdosing include low blood pressure, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, limp body, changes in pupillary size, cold clammy hands, and, most noticeably, blue colored lips. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may overdose, save a life by calling 911, give naloxone, and begin to perform CPR until more help comes. To help reduce the risk of overdose, don’t take pills not prescribed to you, carry naloxone, and finally use test strips to detect fentanyl in drugs.
If you are in need of help don’t be afraid to reach out at 1-800-662-4357
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
