Increasing fentanyl use in Lane County prompts new awareness campaign

Lane County Public Health is launching a fentanyl awareness campaign aimed at addressing the increasing use and supply of fentanyl in the county, according to Lane County.

A rise in fentanyl in the community has led to increased 911 calls, emergency room visits and deaths, officials said. The goal of the campaign is to counteract the effects of fentanyl through risk awareness and education.

“Ultimately, we hope the outcome of this campaign is saved lives,” said Alexander LaVake, community health analyst and fentanyl awareness campaign coordinator for Lane County Public Health. “To that end, we will be providing youth, families and community members with the tools to stay safe, respond to an overdose and provide strategies to lower the risk of overdose.”

Fentanyl use in Lane County has increased over the past few years, according to data from the Lane County Medical Examiner's Office.

Oregon's top three substances that resulted in deaths in 2020 were methamphetamine (391 cases), followed by fentanyl (230) and heroin (205), according to the data. Twenty three fentanyl deaths occurred in Lane County in 2020. In 2019, there were four fentanyl deaths in Lane County.

The awareness campaign includes education on Narcan, information on the signs and symptoms of an overdose and how to respond and other community resources, officials said. The campaign will promote these educational tools online and through social media, and will partner with local school districts and community organizations.

People can learn more about the campaign at fentanylaware.com

Makenzie Elliott covers breaking news and public safety for The Register-Guard. Reach her at MElliott@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter at @makenzielliott.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County launches fentanyl awareness, education campaign