Fentanyl Fast Facts Campaign Launches to Educate Public

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

Fentanyl contaminated drugs are becoming an increasing problem in Garrett County. The Garrett County Health Department has launched a campaign, Fentanyl Fast Facts, to help educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl along with treatments and harm reduction strategies that are offered for opioid addiction and overdoses.

Fentanyl is a very powerful synthetic opioid. It is over 50 times more powerful than heroin. 

Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or cocaine and can even be pressed into counterfeit pills. Because of this, people are unaware they are even ingesting fentanyl. This is what makes fentanyl so dangerous, and often times, fatal. 

The Behavioral Health division of the Garrett County Health Department is available to provide Medication Assisted Therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other resources to those who suffer from substance use disorder. 

There is also an Overdose Response Program in place which provides free training and Narcan, a medication used to reverse a fentanyl overdose. If you are interested in attending a training and receiving Narcan, call the Overdose Response Program Coordinator at 301-334-7724. For behavioral health services, call 301-334-7670. 

This campaign is funded by the Maryland Department of Health and SAMHSA.