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DEA in Miami warns of synthetic drug field mass overdose events in Florida

DEA in Miami warns of synthetic drug field mass overdose events in Florida

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami field office of the Drug Enforcement Administration warned Florida communities there had been an increase in mass-overdose events across the Sunshine State related to drug supplies laced with a synthetic opioid.

The DEA said synthetic opioids like fentanyl are inexpensive to produce, highly addictive and are being mixed with other illicit drugs to drive addiction and create repeat buyers. The DEA and other experts have said a dosage as small as 2 milligrams is enough fentanyl to be deadly for some adults.

According to the DEA, there have been synthetic opioid mass-overdose events (3 or more overdoses occurring close in time and at the same location) in at least three Florida counties over the last two weeks. Those events have resulted in hospitalizations and deaths.

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Mass-overdose events typically occur when criminals market drugs like cocaine, meth, or heroin when the drug is actually a synthetic opioid like fentanyl or when drug dealers sell fake prescription pills that look legitimate but actually are laced with fentanyl, the DEA said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the signs to look for with a fentanyl overdose include:

  • small, constricted ‘pinpoint pupils’
  • falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • slow, weak, or no breathing
  • choking or gurgling sounds
  • limp body
  • cold and/or clammy skin
  • discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

If you think someone is overdosing, even if you’re not sure, the CDC said to take the following steps:

  1. Call 911
  2. Administer naloxone (NARCAN), if available
  3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
  4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
  5. Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives

Naloxone/Narcan is available over the counter at pharmacies across Florida. It’s also available in every county in the state of Florida. A full list of locations can be found here.

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National Drug Take Back Day events held across the mountains

National Drug Take Back Day events held across the mountains

HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – If you are looking for somewhere to dispose of your unwanted or unneeded prescription medications, Saturday was the day for you.

As part of National Drug Take Back Day, several locations were set up across the mountains, including one at the Kentucky State Police Post in Hazard.

The medicine collected Saturday will be destroyed in a safe way. KSP Sgt. Joel Abner said the event benefits Kentucky communities in several ways.

“We’re glad to be able to provide an outlet for people to destroy their medication. This way we’re not having it flushed in our waterways, it’s not randomly thrown out in the garbage, again, posing a potentially dangerous situation to someone who has their hands on it that shouldn’t have it,” said Sgt. Abner.

If you missed the event, that’s ok. Officials say you can still drop off your medications at any state police post during regular business hours.

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