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In the past 10 years more and more opioids used and abused by people who are not under the care of a physician,  have been known to contain fentanyl.  The fatal outcomes of overdosing on fentanyl became all too common in headlines and obituary notices— but now there is a concerted effort to combat these tragic losses.  If you  had an opportunity to hear from experts, and get practical advice and connect to resources to potentially save someone close from death by fentanyl, why would you not access them?

That’s where Fentanyl Free Communities come in. 

FFC is bringing a forum to the high school in Lindstrom, in early February to share solutions developed by a number of local agencies, organizations and let you hear personal testimonies and local law enforcement tales about the prevalence of fentanyl access and avoiding it.  

Fentanyl Free Communities founder Michele Hein really hopes for a packed house at the program (and for the free pizza) February 5.

Hein, a Lindstrom resident,  said she had never even heard of fentanyl when her son Tyler bought some pills (he ordered what he thought was Percocet in a text message) as pain-killers,  but they contained fentanyl.  Since his death several years ago and subsequent arrest and conviction for the dealer, she has learned more about fentanyl than she might have ever foreseen. She and the founders of FFC include retired and current elected officials, activists and others. They are now working every day to create fentanyl free communities.  

 The court system got involved when lawsuits were filed against the prescription drug manufacturers who failed to warn of the addictive qualities and gave no advice on restricting access.  Lawsuit settlements  won by state attorneys general are now part of financing FFC and its outreach  of harm reduction and public education.

Those who profit from selling drugs on the street figured out a while ago that fentanyl — as a synthetic — is cheap to produce. 

There is an analgesic (pain killer) result,  or a sense of euphoria (a high) that users seek out similar to heroin or sanctioned prescriptions.  

But too much fentanyl  kills and there is no magic dose amount.   The difference between a professional administering fentanyl in a clinical setting and an individual grabbing a party dose can be life or death.

Hein said she compares it to eating a chocolate chip cookie and maybe you take a bite and get no chips, and another time you get a fist-full. Fentanyl street mixtures are not exact. 

Drugs like Valium or anti-anxiety medications, pain killers or those used to counteract symptoms of opioid withdrawal now have a good chance of being laced with fentanyl.   The products themselves, however, resemble the real thing.  That is why test strips are also promoted and distributed for use by the public in combatting overdoses.  A small amount of a pill supply can be mixed with water and contact with  the strips can detect presence of fentanyl.

These products and  local resources are going to be at the fentanyl event Feb 5 at the high school.  Enter from the west side Performing Arts Center doors from 5 to 6 p.m.  Bring family members who want to talk with agencies and service providers,  or just get some pizza and collect some handouts.  The program in the auditorium starts at 6:30 p.m. and will allow for anonymous questions to be posed electronically and nobody needs to know what’s on any one person’s mind.

If you are thinking while reading this, “We don’t have those drug problems here,” think again.  Hein said she was at a table for FFC at a Harmony in the Park concert and interest was strong.  She added that it took a couple years after Tyler was gone for her to “come out of the fog” but now the work ahead is clear.

It will take law enforcement seizing products and breaking up the distribution system and it will take medical providers asking the right questions.  It will take legislation in St Paul to fund public agency pro-active response and school outreach.  Curtailing  overdose will depend on harm reduction stations soon being made available 24/7.  The overdose reversal medication (Narcan pictured) is already being picked up at access points.  The awareness is growing.

FYI.....

The FFC hosts a gala as a fundraiser and this year it is at the Hollywood Theatre in northeast Minneapolis, on Johnson Street.  The date is April 24.  See the FFC website for information.

 

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