savefl website The No. 1 cause of death for people aged 18-45 in the United States is Fentanyl. Contrary to popular belief, this is not necessarily an addiction disease issue. It is an everyone issue.

 

Who is at highest risk for accidental overdose?

• teens experimenting
• college students
• people recently released from incarceration
• people who have completed addiction treatment

 

According to the 2018 FL Medical Examiner's Report to FDLE an average of 15 people die daily from opioid-related overdoses. Florida has already expanded its immunity laws, formed task forces, and increased criminal penalties for drug containing Fentanyl. FL has won billions of dollars in the Opioid Settlements. We MUST use those funds in an active manner!

 

Installing Opioid Overdose Rescue Kits in public spaces in Florida, available freely with no questions as well as fentanyl test strips when they are no longer illegal drug paraphernalia is a smart use of settlement funds. 

 

What is an Opioid Overdose Rescue Kit? It contains 2 intranasal doses of naloxone (Narcan), face shield for CPR rescue breathing, protective gloves, biohazard waste bag, and instructions for CPR and naloxone use.

 

Naloxone (Narcan) is not harmful if administered accidentally. It is only effective in reversing opioid reactions, including overdose. Therefore, the free availability of Opioid Overdose Rescue Kits are not harmful to public safety.

 

Stigma of addiction. What is your first thought when you hear opioid overdose? I bet it has something to do with addiction. Synthetic opioids can kill the first time. Whether it's college kids on Spring Break, a cancer patient accidentally misdosing, a long-time cocaine user, or a teen experimenting with friends. Fentanyl has even been found in marijuana. 

Finally, making life-saving equipment does not encourage drug use nor is it an enabler. It just saves lives!