A group of Cortland County agencies and volunteers are joining a broad coalition of nonprofit organizations, corporations, government agencies, and schools to support the first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day on May 10, 2022. This day aims to draw attention to the increase in drug-related deaths caused by illicit fentanyl and to start a conversation on the local and national scale about what can be done to solve the problem.

What is the difference between illicit fentanyl and legally prescribed fentanyl? 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is used in medical settings to help relieve pain, but fentanyl is also manufactured illicitly. Locally and nationally, people continue to find unexpected fentanyl contaminating the drug supply. Members of our community think that they know what they’re using, but more and more often, they’re also using fentanyl without choosing to. Fentanyl has been detected in the heroin supply, as well as in counterfeit prescription pills and cocaine. 

Some alarming facts:

• Data from the CDC show that illicit fentanyl has been involved in more deaths of Americans under the age of 50 than any other conditions such as heart disease, illness, cancer, suicide, homicide, or other accidents. 
• For the 12-month period ending in September 2021, drug deaths grew fastest among people aged 19 and under, increasing by 26%. Illicit fentanyl was involved in 76% of drug deaths for this age group.
• Additionally, a whopping 73% of youth are unaware that fentanyl can be created into fake prescription pills. Due to the increase of illicit fentanyl in many substances, anyone who uses drugs can be at risk of an overdose.

Knowledge is key. 

Fentanyl Awareness Day is looking to spread potentially lifesaving information– widely and quickly– to the American public. Harm reduction strategies have been proven to save lives. A few include:

• Narcan, a safe and effective medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, is becoming more widely available and anyone can get trained and carry a kit. Trainings will be offered throughout the community on May 10.
• Never use alone. Using drugs alone increases your chance of overdose death. If you are going to use by yourself, call Never Use Alone. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an “unresponsive person” at your location. There is a website with a chat feature as well as a hotline (800) 484-3731.
• Test your drugs. Local groups doing street outreach on May 10th will also be distributing fentanyl test strips. Community members in need can also contact either the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP) or Family & Children’s Counseling Services’ COTI Program for harm reduction supplies. 

The schedule and other information about the May 10th outreach will be posted on the Facebook Event Page.

Rough Schedule:

• 9-11AM – In Front of Wishing Wellness Center, 24 Church Street
• 10:30AM – In Front of Dollar General, Homer Ave.
• 11-12PM – In Front of Access to Independence
• 12PM – Near Daily Grind South
• 2PM – Near Cortland Park Apartments (Rickard / North Street)
• 3PM – In Front of Cortland Post Office

(check back as schedule may change)