(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Officials in the Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction are reminding residents of the deadly risks of Fentanyl, a dangerous compound commonly ingested unintentionally when present in other substances like heroin and cocaine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has previously linked a nationwide increase in overdose deaths since 2013 to synthetic opioids, and Fentanyl in particular.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever used to treat severe pain, typically associated with advanced stages of cancer. Fentanyl is extremely potent, anywhere from 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine, and deadly when misused. A fatal dose of Fentanyl is equivalent to a piece of baby aspirin cut into 324 equal pieces.
“There were 288 suspected drug related deaths in Camden County in just 2020 alone. In 2013, just one Camden County resident was identified to have had fentanyl in their toxicology report, but by 2016 that number increased to 84,” said County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “When such a small dose can be fatal, every instance of drug use is a roll of the dice. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance use disorder, contact the Office of Mental Health and Addiction to learn about resources for recovery.”
The Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction receives state and county funding to ensure the availability of treatment services, particularly for the indigent. Qualified treatment providers provide programs that address problems of drug and alcohol abuse. Addiction services include: withdrawal management, inpatient and outpatient services including methadone maintenance, halfway house programs, recovery supports, sober living and substance abuse education.
For more information about these or any other mental health or substance abuse programs please contact the Office of Mental Health & Addiction at (856) 374-6320.