News from the Noteworthy by LEAF

First Aid Kits Get a New, Life-saving Addition

The addiction and overdose crisis continues to claim more than 100,000 lives a year in our country. Since 1999, which historically marks the beginning of the opioid crisis, more than one million people have died (CDC). Let that number sink in. One Million Dead. It is currently the leading cause of death for adults aged 18 to 45 and fentanyl is involved in 73 percent of those deaths.

I cannot stress this point strongly enough: We can no longer assume that there is any “safe” drug supply on the streets, social media, or the Internet (licensed online pharmacies and regulated dispensaries excepted). Fentanyl has been found in cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, counterfeit pills and gummies.