OPIOIDS & OVERDOSE

Overview

Accidental drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. According to the CDC, there were over 107,000 fatal overdoses in the U.S. in 2021. Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl (IMF) is the driving factor of overdose deaths, involved in 86% of the 1,461 fatal overdoses that occurred in Connecticut in 2022.

Naloxone (Narcan) is the opioid overdose reversal medication that is safe, fast-acting, and easily administered as a nasal spray.

For training on how to prevent, identify & respond to an opioid overdose and/or a FREE Naloxone kit, contact: QVHD 203-248-4528 or info@qvhd.org

  • Opioids are a class of narcotic medications that a doctor may prescribe to relieve pain; Oxycontin, Codeine, Morphine, Vicodin, Demerol & Percocet are all legal medications you may receive from a doctor.

    Illegal opioids include street drugs like Heroin and synthetic opiates such as Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl & Carfentanil.

    While pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short period of time, under a doctors supervision, they are frequently misused. Regular use of these pain killers, even when prescribed by a doctor, can result in dependence.

  • Opioids are designed to relieve pain, but when taken in excess the body's automatic drive to breathe is diminished. Mixing an opiate with alcohol and/or benzodiazepines can increase your risk for overdose as these substances also slow your respiratory system.

    Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, is a major driver of recent opioid overdose deaths present in 86% of overdose deaths in CT in 2022.

  • A powerful synthetic opioid, fentanyl, which is 50-100x more potent than morphine is being mixed into most street drugs (heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines’, counterfeit pills). Due to it’s strength, it only takes a small amount to be a lethal dose. 

    Continue to the section labeled “Fentanyl” to learn more on how you can test for fentanyl.

  • With the goal of saving lives, a law known as the 911 Good Samaritan Act was passed in 2011 aiming to persuade people who may be reluctant to contact emergency personnel when witnessing a drug overdose. The law protects the person calling 9-1-1., the individual responding & administering Naloxone, as well as the individual experiencing a suspected overdose, from civil liability & criminal prosecution, giving them immunity despite the presence of illicit drugs or paraphernalia present on the scene.

    *Note: The Good Samaritan law does not protect someone from other charges or pre-existing warrants.

“CT Residents are more likely to die from an unintentional drug overdose than a motor vehicle accident.”

- Connecticut Department of Public Health, 2019

What happens to your body during an opioid overdose?

While overdose is increasingly prevalent throughout the United States, an overdose is both preventable and reversible.

Naloxone

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug. It is a short acting medication that can reverse a lethal dosage of opioids by temporarily blocking the effects of the drug. This revives the person, restoring their breathing & allowing time to access medical attention.

Naloxone comes in various forms and can be administered into the muscle or as a nasal spray. Naloxone Nasal Spray is the version you will typically receive from a pharmacist or community distributer.

Is Naloxone safe?

Naloxone has little, to no side effects if administered in error to someone not experiencing an overdose. Naloxone is harmless because it will only function when an opioid is present within the body.

Where to get Naloxone:

Naloxone is now available to everyone, friends, neighbors, family members are encouraged to receive training and carry a kit. The price of Naloxone varies depending on the source.

Through a prescription and with insurance coverage, most customers end up paying a small co-pay between $10-$25.

Naloxone is now available over the counter without a prescription for about ~$45 per box.

Naloxone is available through QVHD and other harm reduction providers in Greater New Haven FREE of charge.

Naloxone Administration

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is being mixed into substances like cocaine, heroin, counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs without warning.

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is nearly undetectable. About 2mg of fentanyl is a lethal dose in most people (DEA, 2018)

Fentanyl was involved in an average of 84% of the 1,378 overdose deaths in CT in 2020.  Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse a fentanyl or opioid related overdose by temporarily restoring your ability to breathe.

Fentanyl Testing

Fentanyl test strips are available to test your product prior to use, however, the strips do not tell you how much fentanyl is present. Because of this, assume your drug supply contains fentanyl and use in small amounts. Fentanyl test strips are highly recommended especially for non-opioid drug users who do not have an existing opioid tolerance.

  • Fentanyl: Fact or Myth

    Use the arrows to test your knowledge on the difference between myths and facts about Fentanyl.

  • Fact or Myth?

    Naloxone can save a person from a fentanyl overdose?

  • FACT ✅

    Naloxone (e.g. NARCAN) is safe and counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

    DON’T delay. Administer naloxone if you suspect an overdose

    DO: In the event of a suspected opioid overdose, call immediately for emergency medical assistance.

    Note: If naloxone is not available, provide rescue breathing or life-saving efforts until emergency services arrive.

  • Fact or Myth?

    Touching any amount of fentanyl is likely to cause injury, overdose or death.

  • MYTH ❌

    You CANNOT overdose by touching or being near powdered Fentanyl. Fentanyl must be introduced to the blood stream, mucus membranes or ingested to feel the effects. Regardless, be cautious, wear gloves, call 9-1-1 for assistance.

    Incidental skin contact with fentanyl can be washed off with soap or water. Don’t use hand sanitizer as it can increase the absorption.

  • Fact or myth?

    You can tell if fentanyl is in a drug by looking at it.

  • MYTH ❌

    It is very difficult to know if a drug contains fentanyl just by looking at it, tasting it, or even smelling it.

    Fentanyl test strips can help you find out if what you are using may have fentanyl in it, but it is always possible that it is not 100% accurate. It is always safest to assume fentanyl may be present.

Report on Overdose Trends in the Quinnipiack Valley & City of New Haven are now available for review.

The report was funded by the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action program which supports comprehensive data collection to help plan and implement overdose prevention activities. It was compiled by DataHaven in partnership with the Quinipiack Valley Health District and the New Haven Health Department. The report summarizes data trends related to overdose, substance use, harm prevention, and related metrics, and provides recommendations for overdose prevention. You can find the the new report, and a previous report completed in 2021 here to the right.

Prevention

Talk to Your Family

The Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) LIVE LOUD campaign has a great overview on the Do’s & Don’ts of talking to your loved ones about their substance use. Visit for more information:

Talk to Your Doctor

If a medical professional prescribe you pain medication or any other type of medication, engage them in conversation to learn more about the medication and its effects.

Some questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist include:

  • Why am I being prescribed this medication?

  • How much of this medication do I take and for how long?

  • How will this interact with my other medications?

  • What are the side effects?

  • What are my other options for managing my pain?

Opioid and prescription medication misuse includes a variety of behaviors:

  • Taking a medication prescribed to you more often than prescribed by a doctor.

  • Taking a medication prescribed to you in a different dose than prescribed by a doctor.

  • Taking a medication prescribed for someone else.

  • Taking a pain medication to feel a high.

STIGMA

Many individuals who have an Opioid Use Disorder often also suffer from unaddressed mental health issues, trauma, and ostracism, making the road to recovery delicate and complicated. Compassion in language used to address opioid users is key in creating social change, reducing shame, and illuminating a path to recovery.

Safe Storage and Disposal

  • Description Children and teens often perceive prescription drugs to be safe because they are legal medications that parents are commonly seen using. However, medications are to be taken as prescribed and only by the person who received the prescription from a doctor. Opiates do not work the same way for everyone and can lead to serious health problems or accidental death. Only one in five Americans consider prescription pain medication to be a serious safety threat. (NSC, 2015).

  • DescCounterfeit pills that are designed to look almost identical to legitimate medications are increasing in availability. Any pill purchased on the streets or obtained without a prescription, are dangerous! Pills disguised to look like medications such as Xanax are being pressed with fentanyl. Dosing is also imprecise, no two pills will be the same.

    Talk to your family and make sure they understand medications are only to be taken as prescribed by the person they are prescribed for. If you need a medication, talk to your doctor and obtain them the right way.

    For more information on counterfeit pills; visit the CT Prevention Network’s new website YouthinkyouknowCT.org.

  • DescriNational Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a bi-annual event that allows residents across the U.S. to safely dispose of any unneeded or expired medications. Pop up locations are available across the state typically on the last Saturday in April & October from 10AM-2PM where you can safely and conveniently drop off medications, no questions asked.

Tip:

Do NOT flush medications down the toilet! Flushing medications causes water pollution, negatively impacting our drinking water & environment.

Most local police stations have medication drop boxes in their front lobby where you can drop off any unneeded medications year round. The boxes are safe, easy, and all drop offs are confidential, no questions asked!