Neighbor News
SAFE GC Coalition: CDC Report of Overdose Deaths Due to Fentanyl
A year-end report by the CDC identifies trends of drug overdose deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls.
A 2021 year-end report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies trends in and characteristics of drug overdose deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls (IMF) in the United States between 2019–2020.
During May 2020–April 2021, the estimated number of drug overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 over a 12-month period for the first time, with 64.0% of deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone -mainly illicitly fentanyls that was introduced primarily as adulterants in or replacements for white powder heroin east of the Mississippi River
IMFs are now widespread in white powder heroin markets, increasingly pressed into counterfeit pills resembling oxycodone, alprazolam, or other prescription drugs, and are expanding into new markets, including in the western United States. During July 2019–December 2020, IMF-involved deaths increased sharply in midwestern (33.1%), southern (64.7%), and western (93.9%) jurisdictions. Approximately four in 10 IMF-involved deaths also involved a stimulant and 56% of decedents had no pulse when first responders arrived. Injection drug use was reported in 25% of deaths, and noninjection routes of drug use in 27% of deaths.
Find out what's happening in Glen Covefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to the CDC, the implications for public health include adapting and expanding overdose prevention, harm reduction, and response efforts to address the high potency and various routes of use for IMFs. Enhanced treatment for substance use disorders is also needed to address the increased risk for overdose and treatment complications associated with using IMFs with stimulants.
The SAFE Glen Cove Coalition is conducting an opioid prevention awareness campaign entitled. “Keeping Glen Cove SAFE,” in order to educate and update the community regarding opioid use and its consequences. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the Opioid epidemic at www.safeglencove.org.
