New Fentanyl Public Awareness Campaign Launched

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new public awareness campaign on the fentanyl crisis impacting communities across New York State. The campaign consists of ads and information cards warning New Yorkers about the dangers of fentanyl, providing safety tips on prevention, and offering guidance on how to safely respond to a fentanyl overdose. The campaign comes on the heels of the Governor's aggressive new actions to combat the fentanyl crisis across New York.

 

"Fentanyl abuse is feeding this nation's devastating opioid epidemic that destroys lives and families, and we are taking aggressive action to get these deadly drugs off our streets and protect communities across New York," Governor Cuomo said. "By shedding light on the dangers posed by this dangerous and addictive drug, we will help save lives and create a stronger, healthier New York for all."

 

The campaign, which launched this week in English and Spanish, is called "Hidden Fentanyl Kills." The campaign will include digital banners on social media, advertisements on buses, and ads in shopping malls and laundromats in communities throughout New York. The ads will also be placed in New York City subways, on the Staten Island Ferry, and on a wallscape in the Bronx. Each advertisement will direct people to visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov or call the state's HOPEline number for help, at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369). One of the ads featured in the campaign is available for download here.

 

As part of the campaign, New Yorkers are encouraged to carry naloxone to help when someone is experiencing an overdose. Under the New York State Department of Health's Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP), individuals can access low-cost or no-cost naloxone at pharmacies across the state. At participating pharmacies, individuals with prescription coverage as part of their health insurance plan can receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance for the purchase of this lifesaving drug. Uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage can receive naloxone at no cost through New York's network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs.

 

The general public can participate in free trainings on how to administer naloxone at locations across the state. The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Addiction Treatment Centers provide free training on how to use naloxone to an average of 500 people each month. A schedule of training sessions can be viewed here. In addition, a statewide, multi-agency program has trained more than 10,000 law enforcement officers on administering naloxone. Since the program began in 2014, officers have administered naloxone to more than 3,800 people, saving the lives of nearly 90 percent.

 

 

Source:

New York State - http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-launches-new-fentanyl-public-awareness-campaign

Filed Under: Health