Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Unlike medical fentanyl, illegally made fentanyl is often made in unsanitary conditions, not carefully dosed or blended and laced in other street drugs, including pills, powders and crystals.
Renown encourages all community members visit FentanylAwarenessDay.org for resources tailored for many different groups, including families, schools, companies and more.
“Opioid addiction is an epidemic nationwide, and Nevada is no exception – and with dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl becoming easier to access, it’s our responsibility as healthcare professionals to take action,” said Takesha Cooper, MD, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med). “It’s important for our community to know what they can do to help themselves, or someone they love, who may be struggling with fentanyl addiction. The Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute is here to help those affected by fentanyl.”
Know the Signs of an Overdose
Driven by the ease of access to counterfeit opioids in Nevada and across the country, fentanyl is a leading cause of overdose deaths, with only a few grains needed to become lethal. According for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids (including illegally made fentanyl) were involved in approximately 68% of overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2022. 80% of teen drug deaths, as reported by experts at FentanylAwarenessDay.org, involve fentanyl each year.
The symptoms of fentanyl overdose include the following:
Loss of consciousness
Pinpoint pupils
Unresponsiveness
Irregular breathing
Inability to speak
Take Action to Save a Life
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. It can be given to someone experiencing an overdose by healthcare providers, first responders, family members, caregivers and the public until emergency medical services arrive.
While it is important to note that naloxone is not a substitute for emergency care, it is a crucial step in saving the life of someone who may be overdosing on opioids, including fentanyl.
As of March 2023, naloxone is now available over the counter in many retail pharmacies across the country, as well as with a prescription. Renown recommends those who are seeking naloxone near them to visit HarmReduction.org.
All U.S. states (except for Wyoming) and Canada follow Overdose Good Samaritan laws, which provide certain legal protections for people seeking emergency medical care for themselves or someone else during an overdose. Exact laws and protection levels differ state-by-state.
Nevada offers some of the strongest Good Samaritan protections in the country. Under NRC 453C (the Nevada Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act), both the 9-1-1 caller and the person experiencing overdose are protected against arrests, charges and prosecution for possession of substances, underage alcohol or drug paraphernalia. In addition, Nevada has decriminalized fentanyl test strips.
Medication-Assisted Treatment at Renown Health
The Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute offers evidence-based, personalized care through its Addiction Medicine Services. These services include a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program specifically tailored for adults and teenagers struggling with substance abuse, including fentanyl and other opioids. Run by Bret Bellard, MD, Board-Certified Addiction Medicine Physician at Renown, the MAT program combines medication and therapy to help manage withdrawal symptoms and other co-occurring conditions, reducing the risk of relapse and improving patient outcomes.
Those interested in this treatment program can learn more by calling 775-982-5419.
The Future of Addiction Medicine in Northern Nevada
In alignment with their commitment to build a healthier Nevada, UNR Med and Renown are collaborating to launch an addiction medicine training program for physicians, set to launch on July 1, 2026. This program will help strengthen resources to addiction treatment and expand the medical workforce serving individuals struggling with addiction throughout the region.
About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8.000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org.
Renown Health Expands Leadership Role of Chris Nicholas to Include System COO
Renown Health announced that effective Jan. 1, 2026, Chris Nicholas, MHA, FACHE, current CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center, will be expanding his responsibilities to also become the Chief Operating Officer for Renown Health. In this dual capacity, Mr. Nicholas will manage critical aspects of Renown Health strategic plan implementation, including overseeing the health system’s Transformation Management Office and Master Facility Plan, and leading the Accelerating Care Transformation (ACT) team to coordinate system-wide performance improvement efforts and ensure long-term sustainability.
Renown Health Recognized as Best Hospital for Maternity Care
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority on hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Renown Health as both a 2026 High-Performing hospital for Maternity Care and a Maternity Care Access Hospital. These dual designations underscore Renown Health’s leadership in advancing exceptional and equitable maternal health services.
Ratings are intended to help expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, make informed decisions about where to receive safe and effective maternity care. In 2026, 495 top hospitals for Maternity care have been recognized as High Performing across the U.S. Renown Regional Medical Center is the only hospital earning this designation in the northern Nevada region. Four hospitals in Las Vegas also earned honors.
The 2026 hospital ratings for Maternity and Perinatal Care review hospitals providing high-quality labor & delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies. U.S. News evaluates how well hospitals perform in childbirth using C-section rates, newborn severe complication rates, routine vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) rates, episiotomy rates, best practices to support breast milk feeding, whether a hospital meets federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices, and whether a hospital tracked and reported disparities in outcomes. In terms of quality, these hospitals also demonstrated performance above the lowest normalized values for severe unexpected newborn complications, C-sections or episiotomy rates. Read more about the methodology here.
“Providing the highest level of maternity and infant care is essential to the health and strength of our region,” stated Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Renown Health. “High-quality maternity care leads to safer pregnancies, fewer complications, and better long-term outcomes for both mother and child. Early, expert care reduces risks such as preterm birth, low birth weight babies and complications. Local access ensures timely intervention when seconds matter. Communities with strong maternal care programs see benefits in education, economic stability and public health. We are proud that all parents, regardless of their background or resources, can receive safe, compassionate, evidence-based care, close to home. We at Renown are very proud of this recognition, and to be able to support families during one of life’s most precious moments.”
“Receiving the Best Hospital for Maternity Care designation is an incredible honor for our entire team and reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding care for every mother and baby,” said James M. Alexander, MD, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health, As northern Nevada’s academic teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, we are proud to train the next generation of obstetrics leaders while advancing the highest standards of care for our community.”
Renown Health Now Provides Confidential Mental Health Services for Healthcare Professionals and First Responders
"Code Phoenix” establishes a protected pathway for short-term mental health stabilization for healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and firefighters, delivered in a supportive environment built for the unique realities of their work.
