FENTANYL-LACED COCAINE ALERT
People who thought they were using cocaine have recently suffered opioid-related overdoses in Nubian Square, according to Boston health officials who are blaming fentanyl for the disturbing trend.
The Boston Public Health Commission has issued a warning to city health care providers, alerting them about the recent series of presumed opioid-related ODs in the Roxbury neighborhood among people who believed they were using cocaine. Boston EMS responded to 11 such cases in a 24-hour period earlier this week.
Those who use cocaine should carry Narcan, the health officials emphasized, blaming the ODs on the increasing presence of fentanyl within the cocaine supply. In 2021, the state detection program found that 12% of cocaine samples tested in Boston flagged positive for fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is a highly dangerous substance that even in small amounts can lead to a fatal overdose, so we urge all residents, health care providers, recovery workers, and outreach workers to remain vigilant for signs of opioid overdose, including among individuals who use cocaine,” said Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission.
“If you believe that someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan),” she added. “BPHC offers harm
reduction services to reduce the risk of fatal overdose, including naloxone distribution, drug testing and trainings on how to respond to an overdose. All our services are offered in compassionate and judgement free environments.”
Between 2010 and 2018, overdoses from stimulants like cocaine increasingly involved
opioids, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Toxicology screens from the first six months of 2022 showed that among 1,043 opioid-related overdose deaths occurring in the Bay State, fentanyl was present in 94% and cocaine in 53%.
Fentanyl is a potent opioid that’s 30 to 50 times stronger
than heroin. It suppresses breathing, and at high doses can cause a fatal loss of oxygen.
People who primarily use stimulants may not have an opioid tolerance, making them more susceptible to fentanyl overdoses. Also, if these individuals primarily use cocaine, they may be less likely to carry Narcan so
they’re less equipped to reverse an opioid overdose.
“We recommend that individuals who use cocaine carry naloxone,” BPHC wrote to Boston-area health care providers and community organizations. “Naloxone is available at pharmacies per the statewide standing order. MassHealth and many other insurers will cover the cost of naloxone prescriptions.”
“Please inform the broader community about how people who use cocaine are also at risk for an opioid overdose,” BPHC added. “Encourage others to raise awareness of the issue among their networks, read the advisory for themselves, and pass on the different recommendations.”