Overdose FREE provides the NYC community with guidance on how to prevent and respond to an opioid overdose.
In February 2022, NYCC4H was awarded the opportunity to implement Overdose FREE, a comprehensive fentanyl test strip (FTS) education and distribution program.
We aim to:
1) Increase awareness of fentanyl,
2) Increase the proportion of individuals trained to prevent
and respond to an overdose,
3) Increase access to FTS among people who use drugs (PWUD) and their social networks (e.g., family and friends), and
4) Reduce overdose-related substance use behavior.
Opioid overdose was declared a public health emergency in the US as approximately 100 people died every day from an opioid overdose. Since 2017, this number has only increased: approximately 140 people die every day from an opioid overdose.
Fentanyl was involved in most overdose deaths in NYC. Across the US, fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths along with other synthetic opioids.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, is cheap to make and easily mixed into drugs. It has been found in heroin, cocaine, formed into “pills” that are sold in the guise of other substances such as MDMA, oxycodone, adderall, and others. Because of this, people are unaware of the composition of the drug they are taking or whether it contains traces of fentanyl. This lack of knowledge can be deadly.
According to NYC DOHMH:
Be empowered to use person-first language to reduce stigma and negative bias when discussing addiction.
NYCC4H provides FREE resources for all New Yorkers to receive opioid overdose prevention and response training and order FREE fentanyl test strips (FTS) and Naloxone (Narcan).
We provide fentanyl education and opioid overdose prevention and response training to families, community organizations, and health and wellness centers when requested by emailing info@nycc4h.org or completing this Training Request Form.
In NYC, more people who use opiates die from overdose each year than the number of deaths from homicide. Many of these deaths are preventable.
Opioid overdoses can be
quickly and safely reversed through the use of Naloxone [brand name Narcan], a prescription drug used to revive someone who has overdosed on opioids or other substances laced with an opioid like fentanyl.
By watching the video below, you can learn about the benefits of Naloxone and the steps to take to respond to an opioid overdose using Naloxone.
Fentanyl test strips (FTS) empower people and can save lives.
FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in any substance—pills, powder, or injectables.
FTS are a tool that can identify the presence of fentanyl within substances such as cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, meth, heroin, and pressed pills.
FTS can enable community members to make educated decisions about their safety and can prevent opioid overdoses when used with other risk reduction practices.
Now that you have learned about the benefits of Naloxone, Fentanyl Test Strips, or both; you can follow the link below to take a short quiz and request any of these resources to be mailed to your home for free.
Thank you for learning about what you can do to help save a life using Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips!
If you are interested in receiving remote Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response training delivered by NYCC4H staff please sign up below:
9 AM – 5 PM
info@nycc4h.org
(347) 467 – 0505
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