JACKSON, Wyo. — May 9 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, and the Teton County Health Department (TCHD) is spreading the word about the dangers illicit fentanyl and its contribution to the recent increase is U.S. drug overdoses.
According to the TCHD, “Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos and Rs drugs combined.” TCHD says fake oxycodone pills that contain fentanyl are the fastest growing cause of death among youth.
In 2022, Governor Mark Gordon called for fentanyl awareness as state overdoses increased. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) recently introduced legislation addressing the high fentanyl overdose statistics in Wyoming.
The U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that six out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022 now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Learn about the visual differences between real and fake pills here.
The Town of Jackson also participates in Drug Take-Back days where community members can safely dispose of their unused prescription drugs. The Teton County Sheriff Department has a Drug Take-Back safe located in their lobby at 180 S King Street where community members can bring all unused medicines in a plastic bag (no pill bottles accepted) and deposit them.
