Monday, September 16, 2024
For the Press Times
ONEIDA – Fentanyl is here in greater Green Bay in alarming quantities.
“Fentanyl is now added to almost every kind of illicit drug available, often times unbeknownst to the person using them,” explained Mari Kriescher, director of Oneida Behavioral Health.
“That’s why we’re kicking off a Fentanyl is Everywhere campaign.
“Our goal is to drastically raise awareness about fentanyl and the lifesaving resources you can use to counter its deadly effects.”
On May 30, Onieda Nation leadership participated in a press conference announcing the Fentanyl is Everywhere initiative, which will run for the next several weeks.
The campaign will use social media, yard signs, window clings, business card handouts and outreach to local media to help raise awareness.
“We want you to know that we are not only aware of this threat to our community, but that we’re also taking specific actions to educate and protect Oneida community members with lifesaving resources and professional support services, as well as supporting our county and private sector partners in their efforts to do the same,” explained Tehassi Hill, Chairman of the Oneida Nation. “To make these efforts a success, we need your help.
“Community members are asked to share what they learn about fentanyl and local resources with their friends and family. Your message may reach just the right person in just the right moment.”
The lifesaving resources include fentanyl test strips and NARCAN (naloxone).
Fentanyl test strips can help detect the presence of fentanyl in various types of drugs.
It takes just two salt-sized grains of fentanyl to kill a user.
For more information, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm#fentanyl.
NARCAN (naloxone) can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, saving a life. Sometimes it may take more than one dose to counteract an overdose if fentanyl is involved.
If you, or someone you know, uses opioids, please consider keeping NARCAN on hand.
For more information, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safer-use.htm#Narcan.
“Despite recent news of a relatively small decrease in overdose deaths in 2023, the truth is, across the U.S. and here in our community, we are losing family and friends to overdose at an alarming rate and fentanyl is responsible for a majority of those deaths. The number of 2023 deaths related to fentanyl reached almost 75,000. The national overdose epidemic has claimed more than a million lives since 1999,” Kriescher added
Members of the Oneida Nation can receive fentanyl test strips and NARCAN for free at Oneida Behavioral Health on West Point Road.
Learn more at https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/health/behavioral-health/prevent-opioid-overdose/.
