Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Alabama’s alarming fentanyl crisis—what you need to know + local resources
Reading time: 4 minutes
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The fentanyl crisis in Alabama is real. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama has seen a significant increase in the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths, rising from 121 in 2018 to 835 in 2022.
We spoke with Mary Hallman, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, to learn more about the current fentanyl crisis and life-saving resources like Connect Alabama.
Facts about fentanyl overdoses
According to the CDC, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The abuse of illegal fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.
“Most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illegally made fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect.
It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive and more dangerous.”
CDC, Fentanyl Facts
Mary Hallman Glass told us she’s seen the number of fentanyl overdoses increase drastically in Franklin County and Alabama over the past few years, so it’s important that first responders and professionals are equipped for these types of situations.
Educating yourself on the fentanyl crisis is essential
Free naloxone nasal spray (a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids including fentanyl) and training classes are now being provided to first responders and individuals in the community to help combat the opioid crisis and reverse overdose deaths.
Mary explained that this training has been huge. One of the biggest things learned during the training courses is how to respond to someone who is overdosing.
“One little speck of fentanyl can cause major damage to first responders or family members trying to help someone who is overdosing. If someone near you is overdosing, you do not do CPR on them or give them mouth-to-mouth.”
Mary Hallman Glass, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, Director
Mary actually lost her cousin to a fentanyl overdose and learned firsthand how important it is to educate yourself on how to respond if you’re around someone who is overdosing.
“I reacted on impulse and gave her CPR. This didn’t save her and only put myself and my team members in more danger. They ended up having to give me Narcan (naloxone) and make sure I was okay. People need to know that this is not the way to respond.”
Mary Hallman Glass, Director, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency
Instead, if you think someone is overdosing, here’s what to do:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Administer naloxone, if available.
- Try to keep the person awake + breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with them until emergency workers arrive.
Have information like this on hand when you download the Connect Alabama app.
There are life-changing + easy-to-access resources for substance use disorder
Mary said the biggest thing we can do to combat this crisis is to educate ourselves and others.
The Connect Alabama app provides vital resources for people struggling with substance use, as well as anyone who may know someone who is.
The app is a single resource that makes it easy to find everything there is to know about substance use, prevention and mental health—including types of treatment, what to expect, expenses and how to get started.
“Letting people know that there is help out there and that it is easily accessible is going to be the key to change. Plus, people just need to be aware of what fentanyl is, what it can do to a person and how to respond if you’re ever around an overdose situation yourself.”
Mary Hallman Glass, Director, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency
It is so important to get resources like Connect Alabama out there and in the hands of anyone who’s struggling with substance use—it could save a life.
“If you know your family member or friend is having an issue with fentanyl, there is help out there. I’ve seen a lot of people that have come back from substance use and are doing incredible.
There is help. You just have to ask for it.”
Mary Hallman Glass, Director, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency
Connect Alabama provides local resources for anyone struggling with substance use or who knows someone who is. Download the app today.
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