SAC Corner

SPECIAL EDITION

Fentanyl

Here is what you need to know,,

Fentanyl is a very powerful synthetic opioid more potent (50-100x) than morphine. it's also invisible to the eye.
"Rainbow Fentanyl" are new on the scene are are brightly colored pills & powders & blocks (look like chalk) that appear to look like candy and are targeted towards kids
4/10 (42% ish) pills with fentanyl contain a lethal dose
A lethal dose can be equivalent to 4 grains of sand (2-3 milligrams)
Counterfeit pills often contain fentanyl and it is also sold as fake oxycodone because it is synthetic and comes at a low cost and increases potency
- It has even been found to have laced cannabis/marijuana, see here
https://www.live5news.com/2022/10/20/police-warn-laced-marijuana-after-drug-overdoses/
It can be accidentally inhaled or absorbed through skin contact
See here what happened to an officer during a traffic stop
https://www.kktv.com/2022/12/15/graphic-police-help-save-officer-fentanyl-overdose-during-traffic-stop/
50x more potent than heroin and 100x more potent than morphine

Song For Charlie (family run non-profit): https://www.songforcharlie.org/ educates of fentanyl laced substances.

Scroll down the DEA page here: https://www.dea.gov/onepill to see side by sides of authentic vs counterfeit pills

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The amount by the penny is a lethal dose

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Candy colored pills

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Lethal dose comparison of Heroin, Fentanyl, & Carfentanyl

What Does An Overdose Look Like

Unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness
Breathing will be slow or absent
Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
Skin feels cold and clammy
Pupils are tiny
Nails and lips are blue or purplish black
Unresponsive to outside stimulus
Awake but unable to talk
Light skinned people: skin tone turns blueish purple
Darker skinned people: skin tone turns grayish or ashen
Choking sounds, snore like gurgling
Vomiting
Limp body

How To Save A Life

(click the title for a link)

First:

Call 9-1-1

*The NJ Good Samaritan Law affords immunity from arrest for use/simple possession offenses to the overdose victim and to the person who sought medical assistance*

Try to stimulate the victim by yelling "Are you OK?" or applying a sternal rub.

If no response put gloves on

Open the airway with the person lying on their back, tilt the head back slightly, lift the chin

Check for breathing and pulse, listen carefully for 10 seconds (occassional gasping is not breathing)

If breathing & has pulse - place in recovery position

If not breathing, begin rescue breathing by:

Open the airway with the person lying on their back, tilt the head back slightly, lift the chin

Wearing gloves, check to see if there is anything in their mouth blocking the airway (gum, toothpick, undissolved pills, syringe cap, cheeked Fentanyl patch, etc.), if so perform finger sweep to remove it
Place a CPR shield on the person's mouth & perform CPR

Not working? administer naloxone

Naloxone, commonly known by the brand Narcan, is used to *temporarily* reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in just minutes. There is a nasal spray and a syringe injection version of this rescue resource. Most common & easy to use is probably the nasal spray.

It is completely safe to use, even if a person has not actually overdosed on opioids. It won't do harm, so when in doubt - if you suspect any opioid use, use it.

How it works:

Picture a bunch of open key holes in the body - these are opioid receptors. Now the opioids are keys that fill these receptors. The naloxone is also shaped like keys that will fit into the key holes and stop the opioids from being able to get in (the receptor) and be received. BUT just because the naloxone filled the key hole, doesn't disappear the opioids, they are still floating around the keyholes (receptors). So even if a person is revived via naloxone from an OD, they still have to be taken to the emergency room so that when the naloxone wears off, the opioids don't rush into the empty receptors (keyholes).

It usually acts within 2-5 minutes, use a second dose if the person does not wake up. It typically wears off within 30-90 minutes, so get them to the hospital ASAP.

How to get it:

Narcan can be purchased over the counter in all 50 states. training is free online (see the title for a link).

Free Training & Free Naloxone Nasal Spray Kit:

The last Tuesday of each month Camden County holds a training and those who complete the training will be mailed a free kit.

TRAININGS INCLUDE

Addiction education and treatment options

Overdose prevention techniques

Signs and symptoms of overdose

Steps to take when an overdose occurs

Rescue breathing

How to administer naloxone, self-help,family support, and other important resource information

*Registration is required*

To register, contact Patty DiRenzo

at (856) 374-6137 or email

Patty.Direnzo@CamdenCounty.Com

Call 877-266-8222 for information on how to access fentanyl test strips

Do you suspect your kid or their friends of substance use? Maybe keep a kit at home.

After Saving A Life

Sudden opioid withdrawal symptoms which can be severe. In someone who has been using opioids regularly, opioid withdrawal symptoms can happen suddenly after receiving NARCAN® Nasal Spray and may include:

Body aches
Diarrhea
Increased heart rate
Fever
Runny nose
Sneezing
Goose bumps
Sweating
Yawning
Nausea or vomiting
Nervousness
Restlessness or irritability
Shivering or trembling
Stomach cramping
Weakness
Increased blood pressure

Some patients may show aggressive behavior upon abrupt reversal of an opioid overdose.

In infants under 4 weeks old who have been receiving opioids regularly, sudden opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not treated the right way. Signs and symptoms include: seizures, crying more than usual, and increased reflexes.

Substance Use Treatments, Therapy, & Help

These are a collection of resources not necessarily connected to HSD

Megan Thee Stallion's new website that acts as a landing page for mental health resources. CAUTION: the website title and linked song both use language deemed inappropriate. The website includes therapy connections, including free therapy, resources for suicide, crisis, substance use, and more specifically labeled ones such as for: LGBTQ+, Black Girls, Black Men, and more. https://www.badbitcheshavebaddaystoo.com/
Victory Bay Recovery https://www.victorybayrecovery.com/
The Work Group http://www.joesplacetwg.net
The Caron Foundation
Daytop
The Lighthouse
New Hope Foundation
Princeton House
White Deer Run
Carrier Clinic
Starting point
Rehab After School
My Father's House
Life Counseling Services
Lang Recovery Counseling
Horizon Counseling
High Focus
Summit

Did You Know?

11 million American adolescents and young adults ages 12-29 need help with drug and alcohol problems; 9 million of these are between the ages of 12-25. (2009 National Study on Drugs and Health)
90% of the nearly 2 million adolescents who need help with drug and alcohol problems are not getting the help they need. (2008 National Study on Drugs and Health)
Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs, yet only 37% report getting that benefit. (Partnership Attitude Tracking Study 2008)
90% of all adults with drug or alcohol problems started using before the age of 18, and half before 15. (Dennis 2007)
There is a clear association between adolescent drug and alcohol use and unhealthy, risky behavior, including: unprotected, unplanned, unwanted sexual activity; impaired motor vehicle driving/passenger; involvement with juvenile justice system; poor academic performance and dropping out. (numerous sources)
Some adolescents and young adults have special vulnerability to drug and alcohol problems, including: drug or alcohol use at an early age; family history of drug or alcohol problems; existing mental health problems; having friends who use drugs and alcohol. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
African American adolescents have consistently shown lower drug and alcohol usage rates than Caucasian adolescents. (Johnson/Monitoring the Future 2008)
On an average day, 7,540 adolescents 12-17 drank alcohol for the first time, 4,365 used an illicit drug, 2,466 abused a prescription pain medication (without a prescription) and 263 were admitted to treatment for marijuana dependence, more than any other drug. (2008 OAS/ SAMHSA)

"Don't worry, I always know where I get it from, it was from my friend."

For a real life local incident, see the below snippet of a letter we received from a Marlton woman who lost her spouse to a "Dirty 30". *Content Warning* includes death of spouse imagery

What's her adult husband have to do with our school age kiddos?

One of the most common things I hear as a SAC when talking to kids is "Don't worry, I always know where I get it from, it was from my friend." and every time I cringe.

Kids don't go beyond the trusted friend. Where did that friend get it from? Is it their prescription or do they have a hookup (aka plug) ? Who is this hookup? Where did the hookup get it from? How far down the line do you really know about the substance's origin?

It's like a deadly version of whisper down the lane. The level of trust get's weaker the further removed you are from the source.