Fentanyl-involved deaths are a serious problem in Sacramento County. In 2021, more than 116 people died from fentanyl, either from an opioid overdose or poisoning. In the first four months of 2022, we have already seen 25 more deaths.
Just this past week, well-known local vagrant Matt Pymm passed from an apparent Fentanyl overdose.
These statistics are very alarming and it is so important to be able to inform, educate and raise awareness of this epidemic.
You can learn more by attending a fentanyl awareness virtual town hall taking place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The overwhelming majority of fentanyl deaths are due to counterfeit prescription pills and other drugs in powder form that are laced or replaced with fentanyl. It takes a very small amount of fentanyl to be deadly. Fentanyl is odorless and drugs contaminated with fentanyl are almost impossible to tell from drugs that are not contaminated. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s crime laboratory, 98 percent of pills bought on the street or online are counterfeit, and 98 percent of counterfeit pills contain fentanyl.
“Getting the word out to our community about the dangers of fentanyl is the most important thing we can do to save lives,” said Lori Miller, Division Manager within the Department of Health Services.
The Sacramento County Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office are partnering to present this virtual event, which will include general information, a time to ask questions, and a demonstration of how to use naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, a nasal spray that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
A standing State of California public health order allows some organizations to receive free Narcan kits. Visit the Narcan Distribution Project to apply.
If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs, you can find help on the DHS website.
For more information and resources, visit the One Pill Can Kill website.
