Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists Taking Part In Fentanyl Awareness Day

The first ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day happens Tuesday.

Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Suzanne Angel said the goal is to educate the public about the fentanyl public health crisis.

“We’re really seeing tragedy to be honest,” Angel said. “I’ve never personally seen more people overdose and survive and overdose and not survive. Those fatalities really break my heart, and it’s really being driven by fentanyl getting in all the drug supply.”

Angel said the fentanyl drug supply has never been more dangerous. Angel said it is the number one reason for accidental death for people under the age of 50. Angel said fentanyl also kills more youth than any other drug.

“It’s also driven by stigma,” Angel said. “People not reaching out for help, because they can’t admit to themselves and others and a lot of times the shame and the secrets keep people locked in the disease of addiction and substance abuse disorder.”

“But, the thing with fentanyl getting in the drug supply, you don’t have to have substance abuse disorder to overdose and die,” Angel said. “You can be a first time drug user, and we want people to be aware of that.”

Overdose Prevention Specialist Justin Cantrell said they will recognize the day through an overdose reversal training in Smithville. Cantrell said a glow stick vigil honoring lives lost to fentanyl will also be held.

It takes place at Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church at 5:30 p.m. A broad coalition of nonprofit organizations, major corporations, government agencies and schools launched the awareness day.