May 9th is National Fentanyl Awareness Day and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is spreading the word.
LSO is providing resources to equip people with the facts about the deadly drug, which has seen a massive surge in overdoses nationally and in Nebraska.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is joining organizations, businesses, and law enforcement agencies all over the country in this effort.
More information on this national effort can be found here: fentanylawarenessday.org
Do you know where your pill or powder came from? Unless you got it from a pharmacy, it could contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. Protect yourself and your friends by learning the facts and spreading the word at https://t.co/wWM5wRG85T. #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay #LSO #LNK pic.twitter.com/MqZLsnfiMO
— Lancaster County Sheriff (@LSOnebraska) May 9, 2023
Between 2019 and 2021 deaths related to drugs increased by 55% for ages 15-24 years old. For kids 14-18, deaths grew by 144% in the same time. If your pills aren’t coming from a Dr or Pharmacy….Don’t take them. #NoRandomPills #OnePillCanKill https://t.co/M0PKHJsVvp
— Lancaster County Sheriff (
@LSOnebraska) May 9, 2023
Below are 6 basic facts provided by the National Fentanyl Awareness Day website:
- Illicit fentanyl is being used to make fake prescription pills and is also found in common street drugs like cocaine, MDMA and heroin.
- Often consumed unknowingly by users, illicit fentanyl is driving the recent increase in U.S. overdose deaths.
- Fake pills have been found in all 50 states. Assume any prescription pill you see online is fake, including Oxy, Percocet, Adderall and Xanax.
- Fake pills are the main reason fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing amongst youth.
- Fentanyl is involved in more American youth deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos, and RX drugs COMBINED.
- Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.
Here are ways to help spread the word
- Talk to your loved ones. Have an open dialogue with your family and friends about the issue. Ask questions about their awareness of fentanyl in fake pills and street drugs and outline steps for how they can protect themselves.
- Know the signs of an overdose and be prepared to call 911.
- Locate Naloxone (Narcan) near you and learn how to administer it.
- Post about the issue on social media and use the hashtag #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay. A full toolkit can be found here.
(Photo Courtesy: National Fentanyl Awareness Day)