To Our Community,
In the last two years of the pandemic, opioid overdose and death rates have soared nationally. In 2021, there were a total of 335 overdose deaths, and another 177 this year alone through June. Nearly two-thirds of more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the country have been tied to illicitly manufactured Fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely potent drug, commonly mixed with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills like prescription opioids, among others.
On behalf of the Camden County Board of Commissioners, the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, Camden County Office of the Prosecutor, and local Law Enforcement partners, we are asking for your help in combating this silent killer by sharing our prevention campaign’s message with family, friends, co-workers and your organizations.
Camden County’s Fentanyl Awareness Campaign was created to lower the rates of overdoses and deaths caused by the Fentanyl epidemic in our communities through education and awareness. The campaign, “Fentanyl is Fatal,” is built to educate young, current, and potential recreational users on the dangers of Fentanyl-laced street drugs, including those posed as pharmaceuticals. Advertisements are being placed in a variety of media including outdoor billboards, digital and social media, print publications, and more.
Campaign materials have been sent out to local municipalities, schools, and other organizations who can extend the reach of the campaign’s message even further. A 30-second PSA was created to start airing on airwaves and social platforms to have an even greater impact. Below you will find the commercial and the Fentanyl is Fatal campaign materials for distribution along with social media messages you can use on your networks to help spread the message.
If you know of an organization or business that could spread this important message and you would like a toolkit sent to you, Click Here
Your participation is essential in promoting the real dangers affecting our community.
Sincerely,
Camden County Board of Commissioners
NBC Nightly News, December 28, 2022
Schools Stocking Narcan to Combat Teen Overdoses
A growing number of schools are installing kits stocked with naloxone, also known as Narcan, amid an alarming surge in teen overdoses. NBC News’ Morgan Radford reports from Camden County, New Jersey, to learn about one district’s plan to protect students as dangerous fentanyl becomes more prevalent.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid 50 to 100x more potent than morphine. It is primarily used to treat patients with severe pain, and can be used along with other medications as an anesthetic. Unfortunately, it is also used recreationally, often hidden in other drugs to increase potency.
The National Epidemic – Overdoses and Deaths
As of 2021, Camden County has one of the highest overdose and drug-related fatality rates in the state. Opioid deaths have significantly increased due to common street drugs laced with fentanyl; including pills, cocaine, crack, heroin, meth, MDMA and more. Since fentanyl is cheaper than the actual drug people think they’re buying, dealers cut the product to increase their profits and the drug’s potency. Fentanyl is invisible to the eye, and can cause an overdose at just 2-3 milligrams, leading to numerous deaths of first-time triers/buyers and casual users.
How to Save a Life – Reversing an Overdose
Administering naloxone, commonly known as the brand name NARCAN®, is easy to administer and can reverse a fentanyl overdose by blocking the effects of the opioid. People who are experiencing an overdose may have extremely slowed or stopped breathing, make choking, gurgling or snoring sounds, have blue lips or fingertips, or are completely unresponsive. Naloxone can quickly restore normal respiration, and can be given by injection or nasal spray.
Steps to administer NARCAN® and additional information can be found here.
Support and Treatment
If you or someone you care for is dependent on opioids, medication-assisted and evidenced-based treatments for opioid dependence are available in every publicly and privately funded rehabilitation center in South Jersey.
If you are seeking treatment assistance or access to information and/or services, please contact the Office of Mental Health & Addiction between 9 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday.
Office of Mental Health & Addiction
Phone: (856) 374-6361
Fentanyl – Toolkit / Resources
Share Messages and Spread the Word
Below are promotional materials that you can use to print and display or share online to spread awareness of the dangers of Fentanyl.
IIf you know of an organization or business that could spread this important message and you would like a toolkit sent to you, Click Here
Posters:
Flyers
Social Media Post Graphics:
Suggested Social Media Copy:
One of these opioids has a deadly secret.
A secret you’ll take to your grave. Fentanyl can look just like your drug of choice, and you won’t know you’ve had it until it’s too late. For life-saving information, visit CamdenCounty.com/Fentanyl.
Which meth is laced with fentanyl?
Can’t tell the difference? That’s because fentanyl is undetectable by the human eye and is responsible for thousands of deaths in Camden County alone. For life-saving information, visit CamdenCounty.com/Fentanyl.
Which of these bags can kill you?
Both. And the one with fentanyl will do it today. Fentanyl can be up to 100 x more potent than morphine, and is responsible for thousands of deaths in Camden County. For life-saving information, visit CamdenCounty.com/Fentanyl.
What you can’t see can kill you.
A lethal dose of fentanyl is just 4 grains of sand. It’s the killer in your drug of choice – undetectable by sight, smell and taste. For life-saving information, visit CamdenCounty.com/Fentanyl.
Think you can trust your source?
You’re dead wrong. Chances are, your friends have no idea where your drugs are actually from. For life-saving information, visit CamdenCounty.com/Fentanyl.
Special Event Do It Yourself Flyer
Fentanyl Test Strip Information
