Opioid Epidemic

Opioids

100

What is the difference between heroin and fentanyl? 

Fentanyl is synthetic

200

Fentanyl is 100x more powerful than what drugs?

Heroin and/or morphine

300

What is the lethal dosage of fentanyl? 

3-4 grains of salt or as big as the tip of a sharpened pencil. 

400

What other drugs has fentanyl most commonly been showing up in? (laced drugs) 

Most commonly found in cocaine, heroin, pain pills like Percocet, Oxycodone or Norco pills, and in prescription anxiety medications like Xanax.

500

Signs and symptoms of opioid overdose. 

• Constricted (very small) pupils.
• Severe respiratory depression, such as slow or shallow breathing.
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Gray, blue, or pale skin.
• Blue or purple lips and nails.
• Respiratory arrest, or altogether stopped breathing.
• Extreme decreases in the level of consciousness.
• Limp or flimsy arms and legs.
• Slurred speech or inability to speak.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Unresponsiveness.
• Vomiting.
• Making choking or gurgling sounds.

Statistics

100

Overdose death rates were highest among young adults ages?

25-44 years of age

200

How many Americans die each day from opioid overdose?

More than 136 reported deaths each day. 

300

How quickly dose a fentanyl overdose occur? 

Within seconds to minutes 

400

What country has the leading consumers of illegal drugs? 

United States 

500

How many deaths occur in US each year because of OD's?

There were 106,699 drug-involved overdose deaths reported in the U.S. in 2021. A shocking number of overdose deaths go unreported. 

Life Saving Measures

100

Why do so many drug related deaths go unreported? 

-People with them are afraid of getting in legal trouble. 

-Die alone

-Unaware of what they're taking 

200

What are Good Samaritan laws?

"Good Samaritan" laws that create immunities or other legal protections for people who call for help in the event of an overdose to encourage and protect bystanders who may otherwise not be willing to call for fear of being arrested for drug-related crimes. 

300

How many deaths due to overdose go unreported each year? 

No one really knows. There was an estimate of around 70,000 deaths due to overdose that go unreported each year in the US. 

400

What is the lifesaving treatment for an active overdose?

Naloxone or Narcan nasal spray 

500

How much Narcan is necessary to impact a fentanyl overdose?

Narcan does work on fentanyl, but multiple doses may be needed, and it needs to be administered quickly.

Miscellaneous Drug Facts

100

"Cutting agents" or laced drugs are not a new concept. What are some other examples of cutting agents aside from synthetic substances such as fentanyl? 

-laundry detergent

-rat poison

-talcum powder

-embalming fluid 

200

What drug is responsible for 7 of 10 OD's? 

Opioids

300

Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for what brain disease? 

Dementia 

400

What are some long-term effects of using marijuana at a young age (under 25)? 

Impaired learning ability and memory loss.

How? Adolescent marijuana use impacts how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. 

Also, chronic use has led to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. 

500

What are the legal impacts of selling/distributing fentanyl laced substances? 

• Trafficking fentanyl violates the Federal Controlled Substances Act can result in a $50 million penalty and life in prison.
• These penalties are primarily dictated by the quantity of the substance in a person’s possession, the way the substance came into the person’s possession and the intent of possession.