One Pill Can Kill – End Fentanyl Poisoning

Tuesday, May 9^th is National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Fentanyl is now the most deadly drug circulating on the illegal drug market – just 2 milligrams or the equivalent of two grains of salt, is enough to kill. In 2021, 5,961 Californians died because of fentanyl poisoning. That is 17 lives lost every single day.

As a mom, this scares the hell out of me. That is why combatting the fentanyl crisis has been one of my top priorities. I have introduced legislation to hold fentanyl traffickers and social media companies accountable.

WHAT IS FENTANYL
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS OVERDOSING
It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, it’s best to treat the situation like an overdose — you could save a life.

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Administer Naloxone (Narcan), if available
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
5. Stay with the person until emergency assistant arrives

HOW TO OBTAIN & ADMINISTER NALOXONE
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses an opioid overdose and saves lives. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. Narcan is easy to use and small to carry, specifically the prefilled nasal spray.

You can buy Narcan without a prescription at your local pharmacy. It is covered under your health insurance plan, as well as Medi-Cal and Medicare. Contact your health plan to confirm coverage of Narcan before purchasing the nasal spray and confirm availability at your local pharmacy.

HELPFUL RESOURCES
Remember: One Pill Can Kill. I strongly encourage you to have regular conversations with teens, young people, and loved ones about the dangers of fentanyl, the risks of mixing drugs, and the life-saving power of naloxone to reduce the stigma around seeking help, treatment, and care. Let’s commit ourselves to be informed about the dangers of this deadly drug and help save lives.