Did You Know Your Neighbor Overdosed Last Night?

The need for Recovery Support Specialists in Connecticut is increasingly high. RSS use their personal experiences in recovery to develop meaningful and trusting relationships with community members who suffer from substance or alcohol abuse issues. The role of RSS is to mentor and help facilitate appropriate support services for each individual so that the alcohol or substance abuse user can regain control of their life and mental health issues through recovery from addiction.

When a suspected overdose is called in, EMS, poison control, or our CT police departments are not required to contact a trained recovery support specialist, leaving the victim left alone without any proper care or support once other first responders leave. More than likely, Naloxone (Narcan) was used on the victim - a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose sending the user into immediate withdraw. The number one reason substance abuse users continue to use is to avoid the agonizing effects of withdrawal symptoms. Once first responders leave or once the patient leaves the ER, It’s not rocket science to figure out what happens to the substance abuse user next.

On Monday in Rocky Hill, three people overdosed from opioid-related drug use. According to OD Maps, since October 1st - 12th this month, there have been 347 suspected overdoses and 6 deaths. Of those 347 suspected overdoses, Hartford County reported 136 and 4 deaths in the last 12 days.

According to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, in 2017, there were 1,038 overdose deaths in Connecticut. Out of two-thirds of those deaths, there were “some trace” of fentanyl found in the victim's system. Did you read that? Some. Four years later, some heroin is found in the victims' systems, maybe. In the past two years, out of all opioid-related deaths in Connecticut, only one victim did not have fentanyl in their system.

How fatal is fentanyl? Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 50–100 times stronger than morphine. Carfentanil, a derivative of fentanyl and is much more powerful than that, 100 times stronger and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. The lethal amount of fentanyl is about 2–3 milligrams, the size of 5–7 grains of salt. The lethal amount of Carfentanil is just .00002 grams, (see image).

What can be done? Opiate abuse is fueling crime in our communities, burdening our healthcare system, and has reached our schools. It leaves a lasting and devastating effect on families and the rate of relapse is higher than any other drug. One study reported a relapse rate of 91% in opiate addicts.

There were over 94,000 overdose deaths in 2020—a nearly 31% increase from the record numbers we saw in 2019. Most of these deaths were preventable, but the stigma attached to drug use has blocked life-saving treatment policies in Connecticut.

The Central Connecticut Health District designed resourceful "opioid cards" for first responders hoping they would proactively pass the information along to victims of overdose. The cards contain important resources and support services such as, where to look for detox bed availability, and contact information for treatment services and even transportation services. This is one way our communities can help get important and life-saving information out to the public.

I know firsthand that there is zero communication between the RSS, poison control, EMS, and police departments when a suspected overdose is called in. The only first responder trained to support the victim who overdosed at the time is the RSS. EMS, poison control, and the PD are trained to treat the emergence only.

The Central Connecticut Health District designed resourceful "opioid cards" for first responders hoping they would proactively pass the information along to victims of overdose. The cards contain important resources and support services such as, where to look for detox bed availability, and contact information for treatment services and even transportation services. This is one way our communities can help get important and life-saving information out to the public.

Many of you may think like Peter Canning once did, a front-line medic since 1995, who once believed opioid use was a character flaw. (His story on the opioid epidemic and what changed his perspective, here).

Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities is a federal program that provides funding for national programs and state grants but what programs are in our school systems? None. Unless you count the D.A.R.E. program in elementary schools.

We know that addiction is here to stay. The biological basis of addiction helps to explain why the alcohol or substance abuse user needs much more than good intentions or willpower to break their addictions. Unless we figure out a solution for proper support, care, and resources, you or someone you know will die from an overdose. It’s time we mandate trained recovery support specialists to care for and support victims of overdose, after all, this is what they are trained to do.

Don’t miss my related article on Connecticut recovery houses and the link to human trafficking. If you or someone you know is suffering from an alcohol or substance use disorder and need help, resources, or someone to talk to, my cell is 860-249-6340 and my email is ssimplot@ccthd.org

OTHER RESOURCES
Does and don’t when responding to opioid overdoses: https://store.samhsa.gov

Facts on synthetic illicit drugs and new emerging substances: Lethal combinations of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, with fentanyl were identified in 2019 and continued in 2020. The same combination trends for 2021 also. In 2020, new emerging substances, Flualprazolam, a designer benzodiazepine, in combination with fentanyl resulted in 11 overdose deaths and Eutylone, a synthetic stimulant, resulted in 3 overdose deaths. Para-fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analog, was present in 13 overdose deaths in 2020 and 65 as of the 1st week of September 2021.

Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace: Information for Employers and Workers | CDC (PDF | 785 KB) - This fact sheet helps employers understand the risk of opioid overdose and provides guidance about establishing a workplace naloxone program.

Tips for Teens: The Truth About Opioids | SAMHSA - This fact sheet for teens provides facts about opioids. It describes short- and long-term effects and lists signs of opioid use. The fact sheet helps to dispel common myths about opioids. Access sources cited in this fact sheet.