Fentanyl
View/Download Mountaineer Fentanyl Education Task Force Info Sheet
The Mountaineer Fentanyl Education Task Force, or MFETF, is a group of students in partnership with the United States Justice Department and West Virginia University whose mission is to inform the West Virginia University community about the dangers of fentanyl and resources available on campus and within the community. MFETF has launched the “Mountaineers Against Fentanyl'' campaign for the Fall 2022 semester.
There has been a recent surge of fatal overdoses due to people using drugs they were unaware contained the powerful opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50-100 times stronger than heroin. One pill contaminated with fentanyl can kill a person. To protect our community, we must LEARN, ACT, and SHARE to keep our fellow Mountaineers safe.
At West Virginia University, we are a family. Families help each other. Join us in this life-saving initiative. We are “Mountaineers Against Fentanyl”!
Follow @WVFentanylEdu on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to keep up-to-date with MFETF efforts.
LEARN
According to a memorandum from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), in Spring of 2022 there were… “At least 7 confirmed mass overdose events across the U.S. resulting in 58 overdoses and 29 overdose deaths. Many of the victims of these mass overdose events thought they were ingesting cocaine and had no idea that they were in fact ingesting fentanyl.”
Along with cocaine, other drugs that have been found to contain Fentanyl are heroin, MDMA (molly/ecstasy), and counterfeit prescription drugs, like Percocet and Oxycodone, and even non-opioids such as Adderall and Xanax.
Consuming fentanyl is dangerous, but know that fentanyl will not be absorbed through your skin. If you believe you may be in the presence of fentanyl, proceed with caution to avoid accidental consumption.
To be clear, these prescription drugs containing fentanyl are fake. They are not provided by pharmacies or made by legitimate drug manufacturers. They are made in clandestine labs by dealers and sold to users under false pretenses.
ACT
The most effective way to avoid unknowingly consuming fentanyl is to not use any prescription drugs that aren’t prescribed to you, and to not use any illicit drugs.
WVU has an alcohol and drug amnesty policy in place, also known as medical amnesty. This means if you call emergency medical services because you think someone’s life is in danger due to alcohol or other drug overdose, you can be protected from legal repercussions and conduct violation. This applies to the person experiencing overdose and the person calling EMS on their behalf.
To be granted amnesty, you have to stay with the person, be cooperative with the professionals and emergency responders involved, and provide accurate information. There may be follow-up required through WVU’s Student Assistance Program at the Carruth Center. WVU’s medical amnesty policy also reflects West Virginias’ Good Samaritan law.
If you are (or someone you know is) a person who uses drugs, consider testing your drugs using fentanyl testing strips. WELLWVU is currently providing fentanyl test strips to students free of charge. For more details, follow this link: https://well.wvu.edu/resources/drugs-alcohol/fentanyl-test-strips
Milan Puskar Health RIGHT clinic provides free fentanyl testing kits (along with free Narcan) at their Morgantown clinic. They are located at 341 Spruce Street. These are available during the clinic's normal operating hours.
Fentanyl test strips can also be purchased through the following organizations:
● DanceSafe - $1.19 - $2.09 per strip, depending on amount purchased
● DoseTest - $1.25 per unit
● BunkPolice - $1.99 per unit - $149.99 for 100 strips
Fentanyl test strips were recently removed from the category of "criminalized drug paraphernalia" under West Virginia law. You can read more about the bill on the WV's legislature website here.
SHARE
At West Virginia University, we are a family. Families help each other. Join us in this life-saving initiative. We are “Mountaineers Against Fentanyl”!
Follow @WVFentanylEdu on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to keep up-to-date with MFETF efforts.
*More information on fentanyl can be found at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.