There is Hope. Find a Treatment Center.

Information

Many states across the country are being profoundly affected by the opioid epidemic and opioid addiction in Louisiana is no exception. Prescription opioids can be used to help relieve moderate-to-severe pain and are often prescribed following a surgery or injury, or for certain health conditions. These medications can be an important part of treatment, but can also come with serious risks, especially with prolonged use. An opioid overdose, often marked by slowed breathing, can cause sudden death.

The use of prescription opioids can have a number of side effects as well, even when taken as directed:

Tolerance
Physical dependence
Increased sensitivity to pain

Constipation
Nausea
Sleepiness and dizziness

Depression
Low levels of testosterone
Itching and sweating

Is someone you love using opioid medications? It may not be easy to tell, especially in the early stages of addiction, but there are helpful resources and information for addiction and recovery services in every parish across Louisiana.

Opioid Fact Sheet Download

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid.
Fentanyl is up to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
Fentanyl is being added to street drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, to increase potency.

Why is fentanyl so dangerous?

Fentanyl cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled.
Fentanyl is being made and pressed into fake pills to look like OxyContin®, Xanax®, Adderall®, and other pharmaceuticals.
A shocking 40% of counterfeit pills tested by the DEA contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
It only takes a very small dose of fentanyl, 2 milligrams, to be lethal. Only a couple of specks of fentanyl can be deadly.

Who is at risk?

Anyone obtaining fake/counterfeit pills or using substances is at risk.
Young people are especially at risk because
- Counterfeit pills are being circulated through peers and online channels that do not require a prescription, and
- Fentanyl is now mimicking candy in a rainbow of colors, like Sweet Tarts®.

What can you do?

If you care about a young person or know anyone who may be at risk, make sure you talk to them about how to stay safe. Have an open conversation so they know the risks and what to do in the case of an emergency.
Keep harm reduction tools on hand, such as:
- Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, can reverse an opioid overdose. This medicine can restart someone's breathing within three minutes after being administered.
- Fentanyl testing strips are an inexpensive, quick, and easy way to detect the presence of fentanyl in any drug before it is ingested.

The Facts and Risks of Opioids