We started hearing about fentanyl and its effects on the East Coast about seven years ago.

 

By Jim Wyatt

Jim Wyatt

A mom recently told me the tragic story of how she lost her son. His name was Tosh. He was a kind, good-hearted, and intelligent 29-year-old with a bright future. He saw a doctor for a persistent allergy that caused his skin to exhibit itchy hives. One night, Tosh took a Benadryl for his symptoms and about a quarter of a Xanax pill to help him sleep. He had purchased the Xanax from an acquaintance he knew and trusted. Tosh never woke up, and his girlfriend found him dead the next day. He died because the Xanax he took was counterfeit. It was laced with a fatal dose of a powerful synthetic opioid called fentanyl.

Many people may not realize prescription-type drugs are being sold on the streets or through social media. These drugs may contain some or all of the drug that they purport to be, but we’re finding most of them are now laced with fentanyl.

We started hearing about fentanyl and its effects on the East Coast about seven years ago. Since then, the issues have crept to the West Coast, with deaths rising dramatically in our county during the past three years. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, 88 deaths in the county were caused by fentanyl in 2020. In 2021, there were 124. At the same time, Gilroy suffered nine deaths from opioid overdose/poisonings in 2021, ranging from as young as 13 to age 77. And of those nine, five were attributed to fentanyl.

Fentanyl tends to be a problem in two ways. Firstly, it is a synthetic opioid and highly addictive. It is 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin. So for persons looking for a high, they purchase fentanyl and either purposefully or unknowingly increase the dosage to a fatal amount. Secondly, fentanyl is being added to pills that wouldn’t typically contain fentanyl. Persons buying pills like Xanax, Oxycontin, or ecstasy from unreputable sources are ingesting fentanyl without knowing it. A fatal dose is generally two milligrams. That’s about the same size as seven grains of salt. There is no way to tell if a pill has fentanyl in it.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself, family, and loved ones:

Educate yourself: Visit ExpectFentanyl.org and only buy medication through reputable sources.

Talk with your kids: Have meaningful ongoing conversations about the issue and what you’ve learned. Don’t be afraid to have open discussions about substance use, fentanyl, and other opioids.

Address risk factors: Some persons may be more at risk for substance use, substance abuse, or possible overdose. One of the best things you can do is recognize these risk factors, make appropriate lifestyle adjustments, and, when needed, seek professional help.

Family history of drug or alcohol problems can place persons at an increased risk for developing addictions. Suppose there is a history of dependence or addiction in your family. In that case, it is important to discuss this with family members in the same way you would discuss a history of a disease like diabetes.

Recognize the signs of opioid overdose: An overdose can happen when opioid use suppresses breathing. Overdoses can occur anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours after drug use. Signs of overdose include non-responsiveness, blue lips and fingertips, slow or erratic breathing, pale, clammy skin, and uneven snoring. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose call 9-1-1 and administer Narcan.

Get the antidote for overdose: Narcan or naloxone is a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication. Anyone can administer it.  For more information, visit ExpectFentanyl.org.

Jim Wyatt is the Gilroy Fire Department chief.