Neighbor News
SAFE GC Coalition:Support Includes Fentanyl Test Strips in Narcan Kits
Fentanyl test strips are a simple, inexpensive and evidence-based method of averting drug overdose.
Fentanyl is driving the nationwide overdose epidemic. The CDC estimates that in the 12-month period ending in October 2021, more than 105,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, with 66 percent of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Last year, the United States suffered more fentanyl-related deaths than gun- and auto-related deaths combined.
On June 21st, members of the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition attended a press conference to support Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi- Whitton’s recommendation to include Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) in NARCAN kits.
Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) are a form of inexpensive drug testing technology originally developed for urinalysis, but which have been shown to be effective at detecting the presence of fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs in drug samples prior to ingestion. FTS are a simple, inexpensive, and evidence-based method of averting drug overdose. The strips provide people at risk of fentanyl exposure with more information that may increase their safety. Promoting increased fentanyl awareness will lead people to take safety precautions to prevent overdose. Researchers maintain those with a positive test result are five times more likely to change their drug use behavior to reduce the risk of overdose.
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SAFE is the only alcohol and substance use prevention, intervention and education agency in the city of Glen Cove. Its Coalition, formed in 2003, has made it their mission to eliminate alcohol and substance use and has collaborated with Legislator DeRiggi- Whitton and her staff to provide NARCAN training to residents. The addition of the FTS strip with further the prevention education process.
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.
