MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As Alabama is experiencing a surge in fentanyl overdose deaths, physicians with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama will host a Facebook Live webcast on Wednesday, Oct. 5, to discuss the dangers of illicit fentanyl and treatment options.
Viewers of the webcast will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
“Fentanyl is the most dangerous drug on our streets and it is everywhere. Just one pill can kill,” said Dr. Julia Boothe, who serves as president of the Medical Association and will moderate the discussion on Facebook.
- Fentanyl overdose deaths in Alabama have skyrocketed 136% between 2020 and 2021, according to a report from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.
- Fentanyl is used to treat severe pain and for advanced-stage cancer. But when used in an unregulated setting or manufactured illegally, even as little as 2 milligrams — an amount that could fit on the tip of a pen — can be lethal.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and local police around the country seized more than 10 million fentanyl pills between May and September, including pills manufactured in rainbow colors designed to look like candy.
The public can watch and participate in the discussion by visiting the Medical Association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MedicalAssnAlabama.
Who:
- Dr. Julia Boothe, rural family physician and president of the Medical Association
- Ian Henyon, executive director of the Birmingham Recovery Center
- Dr. Darlene Traffanstedt of the Jefferson County Department of Public Health
- Richard Tucker, former DEA special agent and consultant with the Drug Education Consulting Group
- Carie Wimberly, executive director of the Addiction Prevention Coalition
What: Facebook Live discussion on fentanyl
When: Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. Central
Where: www.facebook.com/MedicalAssnAlabama
