The Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse will have a news conference marking National Fentanyl Awareness Day at 10 a.m. May 8 at the Region 18 Education Service Center, 2811 LaForce Blvd; enter and park at main entrance I.
The safety and well-being of the community is always of utmost importance, which is why Odessa Police Department, Midland Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office, Midland County Sheriff’s Office, ECISD and MISD Police Departments, and the Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in collaboration together, are proud to recognize the second annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day (May 9).
On May 8, people will hear from law enforcement about the startling prevalence of fentanyl related overdoses. A news release detailed that people are dying at alarming rates due to illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), a potent synthetic opioid. On April 6, Gov. Greg Abbot announced that since 2019, Texas has seen a 500% increase in fentanyl-related deaths (gov.texas.gov), the release said.
Illicit fentanyl is being used to make fake prescription pills and is also found in common street drugs like cocaine, MDMA and heroin. It is often consumed unknowingly by users. According to the DEA, 6 out of every 10 counterfeit pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl (dea.gov).
Illicit fentanyl is driving the recent increase in U.S. overdose deaths, and specifically here in the Permian Basin.
Fake pills are the main reason fentanyl-involved deaths are highest and fastest growing amongst youth, the release said.
Fentanyl-laced pills have been seized in all 50 states (cdc.gov).
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is coming into the United States through the Mexican border, where it is being manufactured by the drug cartels after they receive the precursor ingredients from China. It is then often pressed into pill form to look identical to prescription drugs such as Oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall. Buyers are then poisoned when they unknowingly consume the fentanyl contained in the pills. Less than 2 milligrams (smaller than the head of a pencil) is a potentially lethal dose. (dea.gov)
Fentanyl is involved in more American youth deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos, and prescription drugs combined. Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents. (cdc.gov).
