Opioids
The opioid epidemic is affecting Santa Cruz County, and fentanyl-laced drugs are increasing. We are encountering patients who are using other substances not knowing fentanyl is in their drug. Services are available.
WHAT ARE PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS, HEROIN, & FENTANYL?
Prescription Opioids: These are very strong opioid pain relief medications and are highly addictive and now regulated. Common prescription opioids include Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), Morphine, Codeine, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), and Fentanyl. People can become addicted to their prescription, and then turn to buy pills from other people including counterfeit pills laced with deadly amounts of fentanyl.
Heroin: Heroin is an illegal opioid-based synthetic substance that is highly addictive and can come in different forms such as white or brown powder, a black sticky substance (black tar heroin), and solid black chunks.
Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is currently being laced (added) to counterfeit pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs. People are now becoming addicted to opioids or overdosing without even knowing it because it is added to other drugs. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous because it can cause overdose and death very easily, one grain of salt-sized fentanyl can cause an overdose if touched or inhaled.
HOW IS IT USED?
Opioids can be taken orally as a pill/tab/film, snorted, injected, or smoked.
STREET NAMES
Prescription Pills: Oxy, Percs
Heroin: Black, Chiva, Negra, H, White China, Chasing the Dragon
Fentanyl: Blues, M-30s, Boats, Fenty, Percs, 30s, 50s, Fent, Skittles, Rainbows
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Prescription bottles
Lighters
Straws or hallowed ballpoint pens (for snorting)
Bongs/pipes
Syringes/needles
Lose pills
Spoons with burn marks
Plastic baggies with the residue of white, light yellow, or black powders
Foil
Cotton balls
SIGNS THAT SOMEONE IS USING OPIOIDS
Feeling drowsy and sleepy for several hours
Foggy mental state
Slowed breathing
Slowed heart rate
Dry mouth
“Nodding,” alternate between periods of being awake and asleep
Sweating
Nausea
Vomiting
Itching
Needle marks and bruising from injection sites
Changes in sleep habits
Weight loss or appetite changes
Seeming to have frequent colds or flu-like symptoms
Seeking prescriptions or visiting multiple doctors
An increase in reported pain levels although the person’s condition doesn’t seem to be worse than before
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE
If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose from opioids, call 911 immediately and administer Narcan.
Unconscious/unresponsive
Awake but can’t talk
Vomiting
Body is very limp
Slow or No breathing
Low pulse
Fingernails or lips turning blue
GENERAL HEALTH EFFECTS
Skin problems like abscesses and infections (if injected)
Heart problems
Liver diseases
Kidney diseases
Collapsed veins from repeated injections
Stroke
Death
Frequent constipation or diarrhea
Respiratory depression
Suppressing the urge to cough
Ready to get Involved?
Organizations and community members involved in SUD/OUD are welcome to join!
Email Yara Castro at info@sosaheal.org or call 520-375-6050 for more information.