The deaths of three high school students in King County due to fentanyl overdoses have caused local government officials to work to educate vulnerable populations about the dangers of fentanyl in counterfeit drugs.
In a post on its website, Seattle and King County Public Health gave a comprehensive report on fentanyl in King County and what people can do to avoid becoming victimized by it. While most of the publicity of fentanyl has come from King County, the dangers of this very powerful synthetic opioid is also present in Snohomish County. Parents should be sure to talk to their teenage children about its dangers and how to avoid becoming victimized.
Fentanyl has been found in both pill form and in powders, as depicted in the following graphic from Seattle and King County Public Health:
The report says, “… most overdose deaths are attributed to poly-substance use with methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths continuing to rise.” In 2018, there were 415 drug and alcohol deaths in King County, 77% of which involved multiple substances.
The health district says that you can do something to curb this disturbing trend. It recommends the following:
Everyone should be aware of the risks associated with illicit drug use, and particularly the recent increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses:
·
Do not consume any pill that you do not directly
receive from a pharmacy or your prescriber.
·
Pills purchased online are not safe.
·
Counterfeit pills purchased illicitly may
contain fentanyl and appear to be legitimate pharmaceutical products, such as
oxycodone pills.
Anyone can help prevent a fatal
overdose:
·
Carry naloxone, the medication to reverse an
opioid overdose. Visit www.stopoverdose.org
(http://stopoverdose.org/section/find-naloxone-near-you/)
for locations
that provide naloxone.
·
Do not use illicit substances alone.
·
Call 911 if you witness an opioid overdose. If
you are trying to help in an overdose, the Washington State Good Samaritan law
protects you and the overdose victim from drug possession charges.
·
Get rid of unused or expired medications. Find a
dropbox near you: in King County- https://kingcountysecuremedicinereturn.org/.
Treatment works:
·
Medication is available in the community that
can cut
overdose risk in half and treat urges and cravings.
overdose risk in half and treat urges and cravings.
·
Call the 24-hour Recovery Help line:
1-866-789-1511 or visit www.warecoveryhelpline.org
Seattle & King County Public Health:
https://publichealthinsider.com/2019/09/26/overdose-update-recent-increase-in-overdose-deaths-linked-to-fentanyl-laced-pills-and-powders/?fbclid=IwAR3VjtazfN7_A02K2urY3KLaCbZ3acccQ4XrNBdOKqPFre3wSpPG1Ahb1Eg
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