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Combating the Fentanyl Crisis: Community Outreach Offers Education and Resources in Las Vegas
By TheNevadaGlobeStaff, February 28, 2024 9:58 am
Las Vegas, NV – In the face of a rising fentanyl crisis, community outreach groups in Las Vegas are working tirelessly to educate the public and offer resources to combat its devastating effects.
Addressing the Surge in Overdose Deaths:
- An alarming increase in overdose deaths is attributed to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin.
- Healthcare workers are continuously battling to save lives and prevent further hospitalizations.
PACT Coalition’s “100 Cups of Coffee” Project:
- The PACT Coalition, a dedicated community organization, actively engages with people across various neighborhoods through its “100 Cups of Coffee” project.
- Outreach workers engage with community members over coffee and lunch, asking crucial questions to assess:
- Prevalence of Drug Use: Identifying the most commonly used substances within each community.
- Underlying Causes: Understanding the factors driving substance misuse in various areas.
- Fentanyl Awareness: Gauging the level of knowledge about fentanyl exposure and its dangers.
Highlighting the Dangers of Fentanyl:
- Krystal Griffin, a project coordinator, emphasizes the alarming reality that fentanyl is often present in various street drugs, including cocaine, meth, and even marijuana.
- She stresses the importance of education and collaboration, particularly within minority communities, which are disproportionately impacted by overdoses due to a lack of knowledge and access to harm reduction resources.
Providing Harm Reduction Tools and Resources:
- The PACT Coalition works to bridge this gap through outreach initiatives.
- They offer essential harm reduction supplies like Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, and fentanyl test strips to help people identify the presence of the drug in their substances.
- Additionally, they connect individuals to crucial resources like Trac-B, a syringe access program that promotes safe injection practices and reduces the risk of bloodborne illnesses.
Trac-B: A Safe Haven for Support:
- Michele Jorge, an HIV linkage coordinator at Trac-B, emphasizes the organization’s open-door policy and commitment to aiding the community.
- They provide a safe space for individuals to:
- Dispose of used syringes safely.
- Access new and sterile syringes.
- Acquire free Narcan and fentanyl test strips.
- Receive training on using these harm-reduction tools effectively.
- Connect with available resources and support services.
Urgent Call for Community Action:
- The ongoing efforts of outreach groups and healthcare professionals highlight the critical need for increased education and harm reduction strategies to combat the fentanyl crisis.
- As Jorge aptly states, “We need to educate our kids and community. It’s impacting all of us.”
Credits: Fox5Vegas
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