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May 10, 2022, now marks the first observation of National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Given the extent of fentanyl’s role in the national opioid use disorder crisis, such an observance makes sense. Indeed, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) continues to see too many people lost to overdoses brought on by fentanyl use, intentional and accidental.

The observation day comes from a Senate Resolution sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Thus, the designation shows how fentanyl is ravaging the country.

According to Senator Feinstein’s press release, “Overdose deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to the influx of fentanyl – a synthetic opioid – being mixed into illicit drugs… In the 12-month period ending October 2021, more than 105,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. Nearly 69,000 of those deaths involved fentanyl. In the 12-month period ending April 2021, fentanyl was the leading cause of deaths for Americans aged 18 to 45.”

National Fentanyl Awareness Day = A Necessity

Given such harsh statistics, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is a necessity. Indeed, it is hard to imagine fentanyl as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. If such a future statistic had been predicted at a dinner party a few years back, the most likely response from the guests would have been incredulous laughter. Today, however, such a fact is a brutal reality.

At the forefront of the battle against fentanyl in California, TTC provides Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) services to patients in need of help. Unlike many providers of MAT Services, TTC offers these services for both adults and youth. In today’s world, addiction knows no age limit, and treatment services need to be universal. Thus, National Fentanyl Awareness Day provides the opportunity to let people know where they can access support.

Fentanyl Facts on National Fentanyl Awareness Day

On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, the best way to raise awareness is to deliver the hard facts. Therefore, by knowing the truth, there is motivation to act. Hence, fentanyl awareness facts include the following:

1) Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that tends to be 100 times stronger than morphine. The purpose of the drug is pain management post-surgery and for cancer patients.

2) Daily, over 150 people die from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

3) The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that 40 percent of illicit prescription pills contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.

4) Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug and overdose deaths than heroin, methamphetamine, meth, cocaine, and prescription drugs combined.

5) Fentanyl deaths are growing fastest in the age range of 14-23 years old.

6) Powdered fentanyl is commonly mixed with other illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine and then made into pills to resemble other prescription opioids.

7) Drug cartels import fentanyl in oil-like barrels from China, then distribute the drug to dealers by kilogram. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day Means Youth at Risk

Given the extreme risk of fentanyl use, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is critical. Thus, TTC makes this day by rededicating ourselves to providing quality Medications for Addiction Treatment Services. Moreover, we will continue to go out into our communities and train people to use Naloxone. This medicine rapidly reverses an opioid overdose and is the most effective opioid antagonist available to the public.

Indeed, we have seen too many lives lost to the scourge of fentanyl abuse and addiction. Moreover, too many accidental deaths occur by people who use fentanyl without even knowing what they are using. Therefore, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is more than just an observation. It is a day to act to save lives by raising awareness and empowering communities.