The Hidden Killer: What You Need to Know About the Opioid Crisis
Every 5 Minutes: Someone in the U.S. loses their life to an opioid overdose. Fentanyl is the cause of most of these deaths. That’s 288 lives every single day -mothers, fathers, siblings, friends.
Time until another life is lost to the drug epidemic
05:00
Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 - 45 in the United States.
Fentanyl’s Lethality
A lethal dose of fentanyl is as small as a few grains of sand—just 2 milligrams.
A lethal dose of fentanyl is as small as a few grains of sand—just 2 milligrams.
Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and even counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription medications. Users are rarely aware of its presence, which increases the risk of unintentional overdose. Overdoses caused by fentanyl happen quickly, often within minutes, leaving little time for intervention.
Fentanyl is odorless, tasteless, and impossible to detect without a test strip.
Fentanyl deaths rose approximately 2,283% (yes, that number is right) between 2013 and 2022 and fentanyl has become the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., especially among individuals aged 18-45.
When You Think It Can’t Happen to You...
Did You Know?
Over 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023. This includes deaths caused by opioids, methamphetamine, and other substances. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)
1 in 3 Americans knows someone who has died from an overdose, showing how widespread and personal this epidemic has become. (The Times, 2023)
21.4% of Americans aged 12 and over have used illicit drugs or misused prescription medications in the past year. (Drug Abuse Statistics, n.d.)
The leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023)
Teen overdose deaths increased by 94% between 2019 and 2020, largely due to fentanyl-laced substances. (Families Against Fentanyl, 2023)
Only 11% of individuals who need treatment for substance use disorders receive it. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022)
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How You Can Make a Difference
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of such a large crisis, but small, meaningful actions can lead to real change.
Educate Yourself and Others: Share the facts about substance use disorder. Break down the myths that lead to stigma. The more people understand substance use disorder as a disease, the more likely we are to create a supportive environment for recovery.
Know that harm reduction saves lives
Support Policy Change: Advocate for laws that expand access to treatment and recovery resources, such as funding for naloxone (Narcan) distribution and affordable rehabilitation programs.
Spread Awareness: Share stories about how the drug crisis has impacted your community or your family. Post on social media, talk to friends, or join local advocacy events.
Be a Lifeline: If you know someone struggling, remind them they’re not alone. Encourage them to seek help and support them through the process.
By taking action, you not only honor the lives lost but also help to prevent more families from experiencing this pain.
Harm Reduction: Saving Lives in the Face of the Fentanyl Crisis
The fentanyl crisis is devastating communities across the nation, but harm reduction strategies offer hope and practical solutions that save lives. Harm reduction isn’t about encouraging drug use—it’s about reducing the dangers associated with it while keeping people alive and healthy.
What is Harm Reduction? Harm reduction is a compassionate, evidence-based approach that meets individuals where they are. It focuses on minimizing the risks of drug use and promoting safety. Examples of harm reduction include:
Naloxone (Narcan): A life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes.
Fentanyl Test Strips: Tools that allow people to check drugs for the presence of fentanyl, helping prevent accidental overdoses.
Needle Exchange Programs: Providing clean needles to reduce the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.
Supervised Consumption Sites: Safe spaces where individuals can use drugs under medical supervision, reducing overdose deaths and connecting people to resources.
Why Does Harm Reduction Matter? The stigma surrounding drug use often isolates individuals, preventing them from seeking help or accessing resources. Harm reduction bridges this gap by offering tools, education, and support without judgment. This approach recognizes that people deserve dignity and care, regardless of where they are in their journey.
How Harm Reduction Saves Lives:
Prevents Overdoses: Access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips helps individuals make informed choices and equips bystanders to act in emergencies.
Reduces Disease Transmission: Clean needle programs drastically lower the rates of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.
Builds Trust: By showing compassion, harm reduction fosters trust and opens doors for individuals to seek further help, such as treatment and recovery services.
Harm Reduction and the Drug Epidemic Harm reduction strategies are critical in combating the fentanyl crisis. They not only save lives but also improve community health and safety. These programs create opportunities for connection, healing, and hope—because you can’t help someone recover if they’re not alive.
At the Adams Legacy Project, we believe in a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to fighting the drug epidemic. Harm reduction works, and it’s an essential part of saving lives and reducing the stigma surrounding substance use.
Learn More: If you want to know more about harm reduction or how you can help, visit our resources page or contact us directly. Together, we can make a difference.
