Education on Other Drugs - MATTERS Network

MATTERS develops educational materials on various topics, including other drugs like fentanyl and xylazine.

Explore topics & resources below.

Benzodiazepines

Image containing text. Title of document is "Benzodiazepines. By Kailyn Tomilin MPH". Document contains headers "Background" and "Effects & Symptoms", as well as an image of a syringe next to text about benzodiazepines.

Fentanyl

Facts on Fentanyl, page 1. What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be strong & harmful to the body when not used under the direction of a healthcare professional. Fentanyl is most commonly mixed into heroin but is found in other drugs (ie. cocaine and methamphetamines). Fentanyl is about 50x more potent than heroin and 100x more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is illegal when not prescribed by a healthcare professional. Legal (or medical) fentanyl has safety precautions in place, has less side effects than other opioids, has nasal routes available for certain circumstances, and is a preferred opioid pain medication. Illegal (street) fentanyl has no safety precautions, comes in unpredictable doses, and is often contaminated with other substances.

Facts on fentanyl page 2. Illegal fentanyl can be deadly! 88% of opioid-related deaths nationwide involved fentanyl in 2021. 92% of opioid-related deaths in New York State involved fentanyl in 2021. How much fentanyl can be lethal? A very small amount (10-15 grains of table salt) of fentanyl can be lethal based on usage, tolerance, and body size. Why is this important? 3-5 days after taking prescription opioids, a person may be at risk of developing an opioid dependence. Harm reduction strategies can save lives, some harm reduction strategies surrounding fentanyl include: using fentanyl test strips to detect the presence of fentanyl in a substance, not using the substance when a drug tests positive for fentanyl, and always having naloxone (aka Narcan) nearby, as well as keeping someone nearby to use the Narcan and call 911 if needed. There are many myths surrounding fentanyl. Are these myths or facts? If you touch fentanyl you can overdose - MYTH. Being in close proximity to fentanyl can cause harmful effects - MYTH. Fentanyl is safe in medical environments - FACT. Fentanyl is in every drug - MYTH.

Ibogaine

Image of light blue background with white roots and leaves of various shapes and sizes. Text reads: Ibogaine. BY Kailyn Tomilin MPH. Background: Ibogaine is a naturally occurring substance with hallucinogenic properties. Click on the image to read more.

Kratom

Image of green powdered substance in a white bowl, surrounded by green leaves and pills. Text reads: Kratom. By Kailyn Tomilin MPH. Background: Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa....Click on the the image to read more.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Outlines different medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Options include methadone, which fully activates the opioid receptor to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This medication must be taken with medical supervision. Methadone is taken daily in a tablet, liquid, or wafer forms. Buprenorphine only partially activates the opioid receptor. Buprenorphine also reduces cravings and symptoms of withdrawal; it can be administered in an outpatient setting and can be taken daily in a tablet, film, implant, or orally. It can also be administered through a monthly injection. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the opioid receptor, meaning folks don't feel the effects of the opioid. This medication can be administered monthly in the form of an injection, or daily in a tablet form.

Myth Busters: Fentanyl Exposure

Myth Busters: Exposure to Fentanyl. Note: If you suspect an overdose, call 911 and administer naloxone (commonly referred to as Narcan) as soon as possible. MYTH: Fentanyl is easily absorbed through the skin and simply touching fentanyl can cause an overdose. FACT: Fentanyl is not quickly absorbed through intact skin and can simply be washed off.

Myth Busters: Exposure to Fentanyl. MYTH: Inhaling fentanyl particles in the air can cause an opioid overdose. Fentanyl is not easily spread through the air in high enough concentrations to have a clinical effect. Scan the QR code to the left to see our source materials. Learn more at mattersnetwork.org

Naloxone (Narcan) in Schools

Naloxone (also known as Narcan) in Schools. Background: overdose deaths among people 10-19 years old jumped 109% between 2019 and 2021 in the United States. An effective school emergency preparedness and response plan includes management of opioid-related overdoses. Improved access to naloxone in schools as a public safety measure will support students, teachers, staff, parents, and others on campus to prevent the risk of an opioid overdose. MATTERS provides naloxone (Narcan) to school nurses, counseling centers, AED machines, etc. MATTERS also provides opioid overdose response training to faculty, staff, parents, and students. About us: MATTERS rapidly links individuals with opioid use disorder to treatment 24/7, 265 days a year, and supports patient success through various resources including harm reduction. Contact us! Call 765-628-8377; visit www.mattersnetwork.org; or email info@mattersnetwork.org

Nitazenes

Image of light blue background with white pills of various shapes and sizes. Text reads: NItazenes: A dangerous class of synthetic opioids. By: Kailyn Tomilin MPH. Click on image to read full article.

Tianeptine

Image of a gas station with text tat reads: Gas Station Heroin - The Dangers of Tianeptine. By Kailyn Tomilin MPH. Background: Tianeptine, a drug commonly referred to as 'gas station heroin', is an emerging risk to public health...Click on the image to read more.

Xylazine

Image contains red and blue text. "Xylazine can be deadly The CDC reported xylazine-involved overdose deaths in the United States rose from 102 to 3,468 in 2021. Why is it important? Xylazine does not respond to naloxone. However, naloxone is recommended if you suspect a xylazine overdose since it is often mixed with opioids. Harm reduction strategies: use xylazine test strips to detect the presence of xylazine in a substance; if you get a positive result for xylazine, DO NOT use the substance; always have naloxone (AKA Narcan) ready and someone nearby. Myth or fact? Wounds only come from injecting drugs - MYTH. Xylazine is only found in certain parts of the United States - MYTH. Xylazine can cause severe skin wounds - FACT. Wounds cannot heal or be treated - MYTH.

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