General
What are opioids?
Prescription or illegal drugs made from opium.
What are the effects of opioids?
Slowed breathing, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma
It is a depressant (which slows your body down). It can slow your body down so much that it could be fatal.
How do people become addicted to opioids?
It is a powerful drug that increases dopamine and makes your brain believe you need it to survive.
How many grains of salt is a lethal dose of Fentanyl?
Two
What are some types of opioids?
Fentanyl, Carfentanil
How can you make sure you do not become addicted if prescribed a pain medication?
Follow the prescription, take for only 1-3 days, get rid of it when you're done, or just don't take it.
How are opioids misused?
Taking a higher dose, before the next dose, or for longer than needed.
Fentanyl is synthetic (fake). Why would they create a chemical that mimics opium?
To lower costs and to be able to make it as strong as they want.
What are opioids used for?
Pain management
Pain meds do not have to be taken if prescribed to you. You can take over the counter pain meds like Advil or ask for something non-addictive.
Do people misuse opioids or heroin first?
80% of heroin users abused prescription pain pills first.
*This does not mean 80% of people who take prescription pain pills will move onto heroin.
Fentanyl is ___ times more powerful than heroin and ____ times more powerful than morphine.
50 times more powerful than heroin
100 times more powerful than morphine
What is the one illegal opioid?
Heroin
What does the word overdose mean?
You are giving your body too much medication for it to process. If your dose is 30mg every 6 hours and you take 30 mg every 4 hours, you are over dosing your body.
Within how many days can addiction to opioids start?
Addiction can happen within 3-5 days. Each day after your chances increase more and more.
In 2021, Fentanyl was responsible for every drug overdose in Ashland County. Ohio is currently ranked #____ in Fentanyl use and overdose.
#4
Where does opium come from?
The poppy plant (grows in hot, dry climates like Turkey and Asia).
Fentanyl is synthetic (fake). It was created in a lab to mimic opium to save on costs.
If you find someone who you think has overdosed, what do you do?
Turn them on their side, call 911, administer Narcan if available.
*Good Samaritan Law grants immunity for a minor drug possession or drug paraphernalia offense for the person who overdosed AND the person who called 911 to seek help.
Do people who use opioids develop and tolerance (needing more and more to feel same effects) or dependence (having to use it)?
Both. First a dependence then a tolerance.
Not only is it making its way into our communities and effecting people who aren't "drug users," but also, they've seized enough Fentanyl to wipe out the US population. There's currently 331 million people in the US.