Understanding the Opioid Epidemic

Oklahoma is in the midst of a drug abuse and overdose epidemic and is especially growing in Broken Arrow. Drug overdose deaths far exceed vehicular and firearm fatalities and is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the state. Opioid abuse has led to over 1,300 overdose deaths in the last 5 years, of which over 500 are fentanyl related.

The rise in opioid overdose deaths in the United States can be outlined in 3 distinctive waves:

  1. The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s, with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 1999.
  2. The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
  3. The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly those involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The market for illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to change, and it can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.

What is Fentanyl?

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.

However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product with or without the user’s knowledge to increase its euphoric effects.

Deaths Involving Illegally Made Fentanyl are on the Rise

Rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, increased over 56% from 2019 to 2020. The number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids in 2020 was more than 18 times the number in 2013. More than 56,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids in 2020. The latest provisional drug overdose death counts through June 2021 suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., 187 people die every day from an opioid overdose. 

Signs and Symptoms of a Drug Overdose

Here are the most common signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose:

  • Won't awaken when aroused
  • Blue/purple skin tones for light skinned people and grayish or ashen tones for darker skinned people. 
  • Slow, shallow, erratic, or absent breathing
  • Loud snoring
  • Gurgling or choking sounds
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Vommitting
  • Irrational behavior or confusion

* Signs and symptoms of an overdose may differ depending upon the type of drug consumed

DO NOT:

  • Allow the victim to "sleep it off"
  • Put the victim in a bath or shower
  • Leave the victim alone
  • Treat the victim with home remedies - they do not work and often delay potentially life saving medical treatment
  • Delay calling 911 to clean up the scene

* If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, please immediately call 911. 

Reversing Opioid Overdose with Naloxone

What is Naloxone?

When administered quickly, the life-saving medication naloxone can stop an opioid overdose from occurring, including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid drugs. Naloxone is compact and simple to use and comes in two forms: an injection and a prefilled nasal spray. Both options can be used by anybody without a prescription or medical knowledge.

After four minutes without breathing, brain damage can set in, and death can happen anywhere between four and six minutes later. Having Naloxone nasal spray on hand may help save a life since it typically takes 7 minutes for EMS to reach in a suburban location.  Naloxone quickly reverses an opioid overdose by stopping its effects.  It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. When more potent opioids, such as fentanyl, are involved, more than one dose of naloxone may be necessary.

If you provide naloxone to someone, stay with them for at least four hours or until aid arrives if possible to ensure that their breathing returns to normal.

Resources

  1.  NARCAN -Naloxone Nasal Spray
  2.  Info on how to get a free Naloxone kit
  3.  Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic (CDC)
  4.  Prescription Opioids (CDC)
  5.  Fentanyl (CDC)
  6.  Heroin (CDC)
  7.  Class Action Opioids Settlements (Broken Arrow City Council)
  8.  Fentanyl Abuse and Its Local Impact in Broken Arrow
  9.  Coalition Against Prescription and Substance Abuse of Tulsa
  10.  Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 1-800-522-9054
  11. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids 1-855-378-4373
  12. Broken Arrow Police Department hosts forum on Fentanyl
  13. Community Resources