Saving Lives Through Awareness: Renown Health Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Medication-assisted treatment program at Renown’s Stacie Mathewson Institute offers support for this in recovery from addiction

The Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute at Renown Health stands with northern Nevada communities on Fentanyl Awareness Day, recognized nationwide on April 29 annually.

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.