The Commonwealth of MA has issued an advisory about an increase in overdoses in MA in which both opioids and cocaine have been present. Please be on alert if you or someone you love uses opioids or other substances.
Remember:
- Assume that ANY drug purchased off the street may include an analog of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be 30-50 times more powerful than heroin. Using cocaine or any other street drug as an alternative to opioids will not necessarily prevent an opioid-related overdose and therefore cannot be considered a ‘safer’ option.
- Knowingly or unknowingly mixing substances increases a person’s chance of overdose.
- If a person has not used drugs recently and then relapses, their chance of a fatal overdose increases significantly. Anyone who is in early recovery from a substance use disorder or was recently released from hospitalization or incarceration are at particularly high risk for overdose.
- Using any street drugs comes with risk, but individuals who use drugs may be at different stages of use or relapse. Anyone who uses street drugs should, therefore, take precautions by never using alone and by making sure that at least one person is with them who has naloxone (Narcan).
- Family members and friends of people who use drugs or who are in recovery are advised to check-in with their loved ones to ensure their safety and to express their care. And if you do not already have naloxone (Narcan), learn where you can obtain it for free or at low cost on the Natick Opioid Task Force’s ‘Make the Right Call’ flyer [PDF].
For more information about how to reduce fatal overdoses and how to access treatment and other support services, please see the ‘Make the Right Call’ flyer [PDF].