Opioids and their impact on our rural counties

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain, and include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others.

• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo)
• Hydrocodone (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER)
• Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Oxecta, Roxicodone)
• Fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora)
• Morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Ora-Morph SR ,Astramorph, Avinza)
• Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet)
• Oxycodone/Naloxone (Targiniq ER)

Fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds such as carfentanil and acetyl fentanyl are synthetic opioids, and often have very high levels of potency. Illegally produced fentanyl can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin, and carfentanil and other related drugs can be even stronger. It only takes a very small amount of fentanyl or its derivatives — which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes (the nose or mouth) — to result in severe adverse reactions. As a consequence, not only are users exposed to danger, but so are others who encounter them including the general public, first responders, and law enforcement.