On June 2, Dr. Westly Clark, director for the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, sent a letter and fact sheet to drug and alcohol departments nationwide regarding an outbreak of overdoses and deaths involving fentanyl and heroin or cocaine.

Fentanyl, a pain medication that is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine, is generally used to treat patients with severe or chronic pain. When combined with heroin or cocaine, it can result in irregular heart beat, the inability to breathe, and, in some cases, death. Authorities have spotted the practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and it appears most serious in Detroit, where authorities suspect that more than 175 people have died in recent months from fentanyl-related overdoses. The letter encouraged local health authorities to bring this critical information to first responders, emergency room personnel, street substance abuse workers, drug treatment facilities, local health care providers, the recovery community, and the public at large.

Dr. Clark warned that the current situation highlights the need to be vigilant in your community for the possible introduction of this potent drug mixture into circulation and to help educate and alert patients, clients and others in order to help save lives.

For more information please click on the following links: Fentanyl Alert. Fentanyl Article.