Cocaine users targeted in overdose awareness effort

The insidious nature of fentanyl in the drug supply has New York City officials selecting an uncommon venue for part of its comprehensive opioid awareness campaign. City officials in May launched an effort to visit nightclubs and bars in an attempt to reach cocaine users who might not realize that fentanyl also has been found in the stimulant, as well as in opioids.

“We're going into bars and nightclubs because we want to reach people who may only use cocaine occasionally,” New York City Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said in a news release. “We want them to know that fentanyl is in our cocaine supply, and they are at risk of an opioid overdose.”

The effort, which is part of the city's comprehensive HealingNYC initiative to prevent as many as 400 fatal overdoses by 2022, targets the nightlife destination of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Besides supplying bars and nightclubs with informational coasters and posters, the city is offering to train staff at these establishments in how to administer the life-saving drug naloxone in cases of a patron's overdose.

According to data from the city, fentanyl was found in 37% of overdose deaths involving cocaine in 2016, up from 11% the year before.

“If you use cocaine, make sure someone is with you who can call 911 or administer naloxone in case you have an opioid overdose,” Bassett said in a message directed at the public.