Two scary news stories kicked off Overdose Awareness Month in Connecticut:
On August 2nd, NBC CT reported on a one-year-old toddler who had to be revived with Naloxone--aka Narcan(TM)--after ingesting fentanyl in a park in New Britain.
On August 3rd, Norwalk Police Department made an arrest at Zaza Smoke Shop, where "several hundred" cannabis products were being sold illegally, with many testing positive for fentanyl.
These stories highlight how important it is for everyone to educate themselves about overdose risk, to raise awareness among family members and colleagues, and to carry Narcan and be prepared to respond to an overdose emergency.
Free Training for College Students
On August 15th from 6-7pm, Positive Directions is offering a free event for college students from Norwalk and Westport to learn about mental health & substance risks and resources at college. Participants will receive a free Narcan kit and other resources so they can be safe at college and prepared to save a life! Space is limited; register here.
This event is provided through the State Opioid Response mini-grants to Norwalk and Westport. Contact Margaret to host a Narcan training for your business or school. Narcan is also available for purchase at local pharmacies, with no prescription needed.
What Everyone Should Know
Fentanyl is an extremely strong opioid. As little as 1-2 milligrams may be fatal. It is tasteless and can be laced into other drugs--with or without the user's knowledge--to increase the high from the drug. Fentanyl has been a major driver of the increase in overdose deaths nationwide.
In recent years, fentanyl has circulated in the form of counterfeit drugs that look like prescription pills (Adderall, Xanax, etc.). People have died after borrowing a pill from a friend, unaware that the pill was never prescribed to their friend or purchased from a pharmacy.
Cannabis can only legally be sold at a state-licensed cannabis retailer or medical marijuana dispensary. Smoke shops (such as vape stores, convenience stores, and gas stations that may sell cigarettes or vapes) are NOT licensed to sell weed. If they are selling weed illegally, it should not be considered safe since there is no product testing or quality assurance.
Parents should talk openly with their kids about these risks. Young children need to know that they should never eat a candy or anything that hasn't been okayed by their parents. Older children and young adults need to know that they should never borrow any kind of medication or supplement, and should only take products that have been prescribed for them by a medical provider and picked up by them or a family member at a pharmacy.
All medications, cannabis products, and alcohol should be kept out of reach of children and pets and sealed or locked up. Learn about safe medication storage and request a free lockbox here.
Want to Get Involved?
The Norwalk Partnership (TNP) is a coalition of community members and organizations working together to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellness in youth and young adults. We gather data, develop plans and initiatives, provide training, create youth supports, and work on environmental change. We are always looking for concerned community members to join us! Contact Margaret Watt, Prevention Director at Positive Directions, for more information. Together, we can create a healthier community.
Finally, save the date for the annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil organized by the New Canaan Parent Support Group (led by Paul Reinhardt, a member of TNP). This heartfelt event will take place on August 29th, 2024 and will feature speakers, resources, and a candlelight vigil remembering those who have been lost.
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