Austin has been facing many fentanyl related incidents lately. This synthetic opioid is used to treat severe pain, but has become a deadly threat to the community. Unfortunately, fentanyl should be used for patients’ treatment, but many people use it in different ways, such as counterfeit pills, mixed with other substances, or as prescription drugs. As a result, we have seen increased numbers of drug overdose deaths and devastated families.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine and powerful than heroin. It is often used to treat severe pain in cancer, during surgery, or occasionally prescribed as a drug for chronic severe pain that does not respond to other opioids.
However, there is no issue with using prescription fentanyl for patients, but the use of illegally manufactured fentanyl is causing a public health crisis. This type of fentanyl is mixed with other substances such as cocaine, heroin, or other fake pills, manufactured in the same way as prescription medications. Criminal drug networks are responsible for distributing fentanyl to people in Austin. Mostly young people don’t know that they are ingesting fentanyl, which enhances the risk of a life-threatening overdose.
The Alarming Rise of Drug Overdose Deaths in Austin
The number of overdose deaths is increasing due to fentanyl in Austin. From 2021 to 2022, the rate of overdose deaths involving illegally made fentanyl increased by almost 4%. In many cases, the people were unaware of what they consumed.
Teenagers and young adults are badly impacted by fentanyl. Many online platforms can be used to distribute counterfeit pills, which include lethal amounts of fentanyl powder. These fake pills are primarily used in clubs and private parties and have deadly consequences, especially for young adults.
What Makes Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is so dangerous due to its strong potency. Even a small dose can be fatal. Many people are unaware of what they’re consuming as fentanyl mixed with other drugs, and they end up experiencing a life-threatening overdose.
We have witnessed multiple tragic cases in Austin where people face sudden death and do not have time to get medical attention. It is essential to seek treatment immediately when users see common signs of fentanyl poisoning, such as slow breathing, pinpoint pupils, and loss of consciousness.
The Role of Naloxone in Saving Lives
Naloxone is introduced to reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose, and is easily available in a nasal spray. This medication is very helpful if used on time, as it can block the effects of opioids to reverse the overdose situation.
Proper training to use naloxone is required for first responders, professionals, and community members. In Austin, combined efforts to distribute naloxone kits and train residents are rising, particularly in risky areas. Therefore, this approach is crucial to save lives and reduce overdose deaths.
Understanding the Root of the Fentanyl Crisis
The use of fentanyl is increasing, so it is vital to understand the root causes of this crisis. Most users start with illegally prescribed prescription opioids, which lead to substance use disorder. Many doctors suggest that patients take pain relief medicines, which can be addictive, that later lead them to take high doses of illicit drugs.
Patients don’t have easy access to prescription drugs, so they find other drugs like fentanyl for relief. This shift from authentic medications to illegally manufactured fentanyl has deadly impacts on the lives of individuals. In this situation, the best approach is to join your local fentanyl addiction recovery programs.
The Influence of Criminal Drug Networks
Criminal drug networks distribute fentanyl to the people of Austin. These illegal manufacturers and distributors spread the network and provide fentanyl powder and fentanyl pills to users, causing severe health problems. They mainly target teenagers and young adults using social media and trap them by saying these are harmless pills. But eventually turns out to be a deadly dose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has taken steps against these criminal drug networks and seized millions of counterfeit pills across significant areas of Austin. Moreover, the law enforcement team is also working with the DEA to address this rising crisis in Austin.
National and Local Responses To Stop Opioid Overdose
The National Drug Control Policy has stepped up to fight against opioid overdose, including fentanyl overdose cases. This requires more funding for fentanyl treatment, implementing harm reduction strategies, and improving easy access to telehealth treatment.
Locally, Austin has launched several initiatives:
- Fentanyl addiction recovery programs to overcome substance abuse addiction.
- Expanded easy access to telehealth for those with substance use disorder.
- Implement educational campaigns to spread awareness about the deadly consequences of fentanyl and fake pills.
- Collaborations should be made with most pharmacies to distribute naloxone without a prescription.
Community-Led Solutions
Local and nonprofit organizations are also playing a significant role in providing vital services to users. For example, organizations like Texas Harm Reduction Alliance offer overdose prevention strategies, awareness, and treatment. They are responsible for educating the public, delivering naloxone, and providing safe spaces for users to deal with substance abuse.
Some schools and youth organizations are making initiatives to include fentanyl education that helps young adults know about the deadly risks associated with counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs.
What You Can Do
The people of Austin are playing an important role in fighting against the fentanyl crisis. Due to the rise of drug overdoses and overdose death cases, collective efforts are needed from all levels of society. From federal policy changes to neighborhood awareness campaigns, every step should count to fight against deadly synthetic opioids. Here’s how you can help:
- Educate yourself and family members about the deadly risks of fentanyl, fake pills, and illicit drugs.
- Must have naloxone in your pocket, and you can take it easily at most pharmacies.
- Participate in your local fentanyl addiction recovery programs to prevent substance abuse.
- Only take those prescription drugs that a licensed provider verifies.
- Support local organizations that provide treatment, harm reduction, and addiction recovery services.
- Make easy access to mental health and substance use support in your community.
However, this crisis can be challenging to overcome, but hope remains. We can make a better life for Austin’s people through education, prevention, and getting expert help from your local health recovery specialist, which will change your life entirely.
