Public Health and Safety Alert: Fentanyl Overdoses
The State of Florida has seen an exponential increase in overdoses associated with fentanyl. State agencies are working together to investigate and immediately address this public safety and health issue. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid up to 100x more potent than morphine. As little as 2mg, about the size of 5 grains of salt, can be fatal.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications.[3] There are two forms of naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization, nasal spray and an auto-injector. Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed or even stopped due to an opioid overdose.[4] More than one dose of naloxone may be required when more potent opioids like fentanyl are involved.[5]
HEROS (Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support) is a Florida Department of Health program that provides free naloxone to emergency response agencies. Since the inception of the program in 2018, over 455,000 doses have been distributed to emergency response agencies in Florida through . All first responders in Florida are eligible to request free naloxone through this program. More information can be found HERE.
If you or your organization are interested in obtaining or managing naloxone for the community, please CLICK HERE to find available resources through the Florida Department of Children and Families.