Umatilla County Public Health on Tuesday, Nov. 26 issued an overdose alert in response to a recent increase in accidental overdoses or poisonings related to illicit opioids, specifically fentanyl and its analogs.
Joseph Fiumara Jr., director of Umatilla County Public Health, said the alert is being issued in response to increases in opioid-related Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Room (ER) admissions along with rising local agency reports of increased community overdoses.
Fiumara Jr. said Umatilla County has seen illicitly manufactured opioids including fentanyl since the mid-2010s. Since 2017, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs have increasingly become the dominant opioid threat in Umatilla County, he said.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycodone, or in a powdered form, which can look like other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Fiumara Jr. said fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit substances such as methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine.
Fiumara Jr. said there is current evidence of the presence of carfentanil in the current drug supply in or around Umatilla County. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid fentanyl analog intended for use as a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants. Carfentanil is about 100 times more potent than fentanyl and approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Carfentanil has no accepted medical use for humans and is not approved outside of veterinary use.
Carfentanil typically appears as a white, odorless powder that is relatively indistinguishable from the appearance of other opioids such as fentanyl or heroin without advanced testing. Like fentanyl, carfentanil can be sold as counterfeit pills, other drugs, or mixed into other substances. The increased presence of fentanyl and carfentanil in the drug supply increases the risk of overdosing or poisoning for people who are experimenting with substances or who use recreationally, regardless of the intended substance used, Fiumara Jr. said.
Umatilla County Public Health is encouraging the medical community, community partners, people who occasionally use recreational or party drugs, people with an active substance use disorder and parents, family and friends to be aware of the increase in overdoses associated with illicit opioids. Fiumara Jr. said that even some non-opioid substances have been found to contain potent amounts of opioids that lead to an increase in overdose.
Fiumara Jr. said there is no safe way to use illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, but there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of overdosing. The underground market supplying street drugs is unpredictable and inconsistent. Assume there is a risk of drug poisoning or overdosing no matter what substance is used.
According to Fiumara Jr., abstaining from drug use is the only way to eliminate the risk of overdosing. Ask questions about an individual’s readiness to seek treatment and support them as they are ready to explore options. Resources for medication-assisted treatment, drug treatment, or peer support programs can be found on the Oregon Recovers website. Calling the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) offers free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information services in English and Spanish. This resource is available for individuals and families facing mental and or substance use disorders.
If you use, never use substances alone, regardless of the substance you think you are using. If this is not possible, make a safety plan that includes notifying someone you trust of your use and arranging for them to be in regular contact with you. Use the 24/7 Never Use Alone Hotline: 1-877-696-1996 if you don’t have someone to call.
Call 911 immediately when you suspect an overdose. There is no way to truly know what is in the substances purchased from the underground market and the increased potency makes medical treatment urgent. Always seek medical attention, even if you use naloxone. As naloxone wears off, the person could return to unconsciousness and stop breathing.
The Good Samaritan Law protects you and the person overdosing from being charged with drug possession regardless of age or probation status. Call 911!
Have naloxone available at all times and know how to use it. Due to the potency of the substances, it may require more than one dose of naloxone to reverse the overdose, but naloxone is effective. It is important to wait 2-3 minutes between each dose and only give doses until the individual begins breathing on their own even if they have not regained full consciousness. Naloxone only reverses overdoses from opioids but should be used regardless of the substance you think was taken due to the unknown mixing of substances in the supply.
If you do not have Naloxone, it is available at EOCIL- Measure 110 provider, COPES, and the Umatilla County Health Department for individuals who use substances. Naloxone is also available through Project Red/ NEXT Distro. Naloxone can also be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.
People who haven’t used opioids in a while or have never used before are at an increased risk of overdosing. Know your tolerance and use less.
Low-/No-barrier harm reduction supplies and services are available through EOCIL- Measure 110 provider and COPES.
