The Office of Community Health and Safety have issued a public service announcement urging City of Pittsburgh residents to use caution and employ safe practices if using drugs due to ongoing overdose risk associated with fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that can quickly stop your breathing and cause an opioid overdose, which can lead to death.
Any substance not obtained directly from a pharmacy or other licensed medical professional has the potential to contain fentanyl. This includes, but is not limited to heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, ecstasy, and counterfeit pills such as Percocet and Xanax. While fentanyl has been present in the heroin supply for several years in this region, there are increasing reports of other, non-opioid drugs that have been cut with or contaminated by fentanyl.
There are several strategies that can be used to increase safety when using drugs:
Call 9-1-1
Overdoses can be fatal within a very brief period of time.
9-1-1 dispatchers will quickly send first responders to help and can provide guidance on how to respond to a suspected overdose.
Pennsylvania Act 139 provides certain legal protection for the person experiencing the overdose as well as the caller, provided they stay with the victim. This protection is for a drug overdose only. Read more about Act 139.
Have Narcan Immediately On Hand (enough for each person who is using)
Narcan (naloxone) is a safe and legal medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and enable breathing.
Narcan is not harmful to a person who is not experiencing an overdose, so there is no risk in administering it.
Narcan can be purchased at any pharmacy and is covered by most insurance plans. Find a list of pharmacies that will sell you Narcan without a prescription. Narcan can also be obtained (free of charge) from Prevention Point Pittsburgh.
Learn how to use Narcan
Use Fentanyl Test Strips to Test Substances
Fentanyl test strips are able to detect the presence of fentanyl which can quickly stop breathing and cause an opioid overdose, which can lead to death. The street drug supply is unpredictable and fentanyl test strips can tell you whether a drug has fentanyl in it.
Fentanyl test are provided by Prevention Point Pittsburgh at no cost. Find the closest Prevention Point Pittsburgh site.
Learn how to use fentanyl test strips
Never Use Drugs Alone
Using drugs alone is dangerous because there is no one around to help you in case of an overdose. Using drugs with another person present is safer because they can give you Narcan and/or call an ambulance if you need help.
If you are using drugs alone, call the Never Use Alone hotline at (800) 484-3731. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an “unresponsive person” at your location. Learn more about the Never Use Alone hotline.
Take Turns/Stagger Use
Taking turns using ensures that everyone does not overdose at the same time and someone is always available to help.
Start Slow
When using drugs, start slow and begin by using a very small amount. The drug supply is very unpredictable and drugs can vary greatly in strength.
You are at higher risk of overdose if you are using drugs for the first time, have not used for a period of time, or are mixing different types of drugs and/or alcohol.
Access Treatment
If you want to receive treatment for drug use, the following resources can help.
PA Get Help Now
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
UPMC Recovery Engagement Program
UPMC Mercy Hospital
Mercy Health Center
Second Floor, Suite 233
1515 Locust St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 232-6275
AHN Addiction Medicine
Center of Excellence
(412) 359-4644
Pathway to Care and Recovery
326 Third Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 325-7550
Allegheny County Health Department – Flow of Resources Brochure
Access Sterile Syringes
If you inject drugs, using sterile syringes can decrease your risk of infection and decrease your risk of contracting conditions such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
Sterile syringes and other safe drug use supplies are provided by Prevention Point Pittsburgh at no cost. Find the closest Prevention Point Pittsburgh site.
Additional Information
While the increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply has heightened overdose risk, this only applies to individuals who are actively engaging in drug use. Nearly all forms of fentanyl do not absorb through the skin and cannot cause an overdose through direct skin contact. Similarly, those in the vicinity of powdered fentanyl in the air will not experience an overdose.
The safety of City of Pittsburgh residents is our highest priority and we encourage you to follow the advice and use the resources listed in this announcement. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Community Health and Safety at ochspgh@pittsburghpa.gov.