Nearly 108,00 drug overdose deaths were reported in the United States in 2022 — 32 of those in Mesa County.

A majority of the deaths were attributed to synthetic opioids. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a synthetic opioid is a substance made in a laboratory that produces pain relief effects by targeting the same receptors in the brain as natural opioids.

One of those synthetic opioids, Fentanyl, had made headlines across the nation because it’s addictive and deadly. Just 2 milligrams of Fentanyl — the equivalent of about 10 grains of table salt — is considered a fatal dose.

Colorless, tasteless and odorless, Fentanyl can be added to illegal drugs. In fact, many overdose deaths could be considered poisonings because the individual didn’t know what they were taking was a counterfeit pill that contained Fentanyl.

Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is a lifesaving medication that can reverse opioid-related overdoses.

Naloxone offers an important tool to keep at workplaces. Naloxone is available over the counter or from organizations that provide free Naloxone and Naloxone training. Lyndall Young at the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center in Grand Junction provides in-depth training on how to recognize an overdose event and administer Naloxone.

It’s also important for employers to know how to support employees struggling with substance use disorders. Mesa County offers sober living facilities, harm reduction agencies, peer support services and a variety of treatment options. A comprehensive list is available from the Mesa County Public Health website at  https://heathymesacounty.org under the our initiatives tab.

For additional information about organizations that provide Naloxone, send an email to healthinfo@mesacounty.us.