The fentanyl crisis has become a national emergency, with devastating consequences on communities across the country. As we recognize National Fentanyl Awareness Day, it is essential to acknowledge the severity of this issue and the importance of awareness in preventing further harm.

Prevalence of Fentanyl-Related Overdoses

• Over 105,000 Americans died from drug poisonings in 2023, with nearly 70% of those deaths attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. • Drug-related overdoses remain the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18-44. • The fentanyl crisis has touched every corner of the country, with no region or demographic spared.

Decline in Overdose Deaths

• Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts a 17.4% decline in drug overdose deaths year-over-year in Nebraska. • Nationally, a 26.5% decline in drug overdose deaths year-over-year is predicted. • These declines are a testament to the efforts of law enforcement agencies, public health partners, and community organizations in combating the fentanyl crisis.

Risks and Dangers of Fentanyl

• Fentanyl is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. • Just two milligrams, the equivalent of a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose. • Fentanyl is often hidden in fake pills made to look like prescription medications, including oxycodone, alprazolam, and hydrocodone.

Spreading Awareness

• Social media and encrypted communication platforms remain highly utilized resources by cartels, their members, and their associates to sell pills and powders that are advertised as legitimate medications or other substances but contain fentanyl. • The DEA encourages people to join in the fight to save lives by using social media to help spread awareness through photos, reels, and information sharing, and tagging #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay #DEAHQ, #DEAOmaha, #OnePillCanKill, and #JustKnow.

Resources for More Information

• For more information on fentanyl, visit the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Campaign. • Learn more about the risks and dangers of fentanyl, as well as ways to prevent overdose and support those affected by the crisis.

Quoted Statement

“Countless families across the nation sit down at dinner each night with an empty chair at the table,” said DEA Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei. “A loved one was taken too soon by a substance so potent and yet so small, it can fit on the tip of a pencil. National Fentanyl Awareness Day provides us with a time to sound the alarm once again to the dangers of this drug.”

Conclusion

The fentanyl crisis is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. As we recognize National Fentanyl Awareness Day, let us remember the importance of awareness in preventing further harm and support those affected by the crisis. By working together, we can save lives and create a safer, healthier community for all.