It’s an unfortunate reality that there are still massive quantities of Fentanyl being found crossing the border and in many of the substances being sold on the street. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally produced medically as a strong post-surgical pain killer. It is 150x stronger than morphine. Today, the lethal drug is being produced mostly abroad and is smuggled into our country and cut into street drugs such as Heroin, Cocaine, pressed Xanax and Percocet pills, and much more. To an individual that has no tolerance for opioids, such as someone who is using primarily Cocaine, it takes ingesting just a few milligrams to cause a serious and surely fatal overdose. High doses of Opioids will attach to Opiate receptors in the brain and slow down the respiratory system so much so that it can cause an individual to stop breathing.
In my years of working for the New York Department of Health on an Opioid Overdose Response Team, venturing into Emergency Departments at Hospitals all over New York City, the most painful patients to see were the patients that were in shock after being resuscitated from a near death experience caused by an opioid overdose when they were sure they were using a non-opioid based substance. The fear that they too were in danger of overdosing suddenly from the odorless, colorless, and almost indetectable additive Fentanyl, were draped all over their faces.
The good news is there is an effective, widely available, medication called Narcan (Naloxone) that can immediately reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save lives. Thanks to legislation, passionate advocates, and increased education, Narcan is now available over the counter at all pharmacies without a prescription. It is a simple to use nasal spray medication, individually dosed, that is small enough to keep in your backpack, purse, or any drawer. The simple act of carrying Narcan increases the likelihood of someone surviving an opioid overdose dramatically. Additionally, Fentanyl Test Strips are now available at Harm-Reduction centers across the city that quickly and accurately will test your substance of choice for any Fentanyl that may have been added to it without your knowledge.
There are some that frown upon a Harm Reduction approach to this epidemic such as making Narcan and Fentanyl Test strips widely available to those who chose to use substances. Many view an abstinence-based approach, completely abstaining from using any and all substances, as the only valid means of healing from Substance Use Disorders. Originally, Harm Reduction started gaining traction in the 1980’s and was conceptualized as a means towards abstinence; working towards illuminating the unmanageability of an individual’s use while keeping them in a pattern of use that involved less risk. There is no hope of recovery once we lose a loved one to overdose.
We at New York Center for Living believe in meeting each individual where they are at in their journey of healing and supporting them towards a state of happiness, hope, health, and prosperity that is sustainable and effective.