About StarNews. (Carrollton, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 2024)
Page 8 January 14, 2024 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com City of Carrollton and Carroll County’s “Fentanyl Stops Here” campaign hopes to spread information, prevention strategies, and support resources to those affected by substance use story by Wayne J. Reynolds You have most likely heard about the drug fentanyl, perhaps through news reports and the unexpected deaths associated with it - but what exactly is fentanyl? According to the Georgia Department of Public Health: “Fentanyl is a deadly substance that can be made illegally and found in all types of street dmgs, not just opioids. It is important to know that it is possible to have an opioid overdose from a stimulant (e.g., cocaine) that is laced with fentanyl.” And more frightening is the fact that: “Drugs that contain fentanyl cannot be detected by sight or smell, and even a small amount can cause an overdose. If you have a chug that was not prescribed for you, be aware it could contain fentanyl. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have been increasing in Georgia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased 106.2% compared to the same time period the previous year.” In response to this growing fentanyl crisis, the Carrollton and Carroll County community have rallied in an unprecedented way. From local schools implementing educational programs to businesses supporting recovery initiatives, the collective response is a beacon ofhope. City of Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards said, “We are passionate about our Fentanyl Awareness campaign. We are tired of seeing our generation perish. The leading cause of death for our 18-45 population is opioid overdose or as some say poisoning. We cannot ‘arrest’ our way out of this problem. We must partner with our community in order to make a difference and save lives” The Carroll County Fentanyl Awareness Coalition, in collaboration with the City of Carrollton and Carroll County, is proud to announce the launch of the “Fentanyl Stops Here” campaign. Funded by a grant from the federal opioid settlement, this initiative aims to address the escalating fentanyl crisis in our community. The coalition of community leaders representing a cross section of the Carroll County community includes Joel Richards, Jodie Goodman, Meredith Browning, Bruce Guthrie, Ashley Hulsey, Chris Dobbs, Craig Dodson, Greg Falls, Gyla Gonzalez, Michael Mansour, Keith Hancock, Herb Cranford, Meagen Thompson, Laurie Fleck, and Terry Jones. Carroll County Chairman Michelle Morgan stated, “I am thankful for the work of Tisinger Law Firm in going after the opioid settlement funds to enable Carroll County to use the money to help deal with the tremendous problems brought on by the opioid crisis. I am proud to be a part of a united effort between Carroll County Government, Carroll County Sheriff Office, Carrollton City and Carrollton PD along with many public servants to address the epidemic of opioid addiction and its consequences to our citizens.” The campaign is a response to the urgent need for awareness and education about the dangers of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a significant rise in overdoses and fatalities. “Fentanyl Stops Here” campaign is dedi cated to providing vital information, preven tion strategies, and support resources to those affected by sub stance use disorders. Key elements of the campaign include edu cational outreach, social media engage ment, and community events. These efforts are bolstered by part nerships with local schools, healthcare facilities, and law enforcement to maxi mize reach and effectiveness. “The jail has approximately 25 peo ple on detox daily, for a variety of different dmgs, and fentanyl is an issue, but unfortu nately many fentanyl users overdose (OD) and pass away before jail even becomes an option as a gateway for them to get help or a loved one can get them into a rehab facility. The Deputies use Narcan on a con sistent basis when they encounter a possible fentanyl overdose, and unfortunately most of those individuals refuse medical treatment. The biggest goal for us is educating the public, our citizens, and espe cially the youth in our community to the dan gers of fentanyl and how deadly it is. We are proud to team up with the City of Carrollton, Carroll County, and the Carrollton Police Department to share this awareness campaign that hopefully will save lives,” Carroll County SheritTTerry Langley added. The Department of Public Health says symptoms of an opioid overdose include: unconsciousness, or inability to wake up, limp body, falling asleep, extreme drowsiness, slow, shallow, irregular or no breathing, pale, blue, cold and/or clammy skin, choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds slow or no heartbeat. Dmgs that contain fentanyl cannot be detected by sight or smell, and even a small amount can cause an overdose. If you have a dmg that was not prescribed for you, be aware it could contain fentanyl. If you suspect a dmg overdose, call 911 immediately, provide the location of the overdose and stay with the individual until help arrives. Georgia has a medical amnesty law that protects individuals who may be experiencing an overdose and callers seeking medical attention for dmg overdoses. Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be obtained from pharmacies in Georgia without a prescription under a standing order from the Commissioner. Dmg prevention and recovery are possible with the appropriate support. For more details about the “Fentanyl Stops Here” campaign, including how to participate or access resources, please visit www.fentanylstopshere.com. StarNews will be writing about this Fentanyl problem throughout 2024. Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley I am DETERMINFD I am WEST, biugrp.com Kirby Laye Senior Consultant The Blue Group, LLC All locations in the United States Professional Services for Offices Networking, IT Services, Repair Camera Systems, & MORE! Find your direction at westga.edu/iamwest Nursing I Computer Science I Education I Business I And More UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA
