Many stimulant overdoses also involve opioids. Between 2012 and 2020, stimulant overdose deaths increased dramatically, and the number involving opioids rose even faster. Fentanyl is a major concern, as it's being added to cocaine and other stimulants, making them more potent and dangerous. Many people don't know their drugs are laced with fentanyl, which increases the risk of overdose (NICHM, 2024).The 60 Minutes segment posted below highlights the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis, which claims around 70,000 American lives annually. Parents Mike O'Kelly and Angela King share the tragic story of their son, Jack, who unknowingly ingested fentanyl-laced drugs, underscoring the dangers of counterfeit pills and the difficulty of reversing fentanyl overdoses even with Narcan.

The video, created by the National Library of Medicine, discusses the escalating opioid overdose crisis and highlights naloxone (otherwise known as Narcan) as a crucial life-saving treatment that can rapidly reverse overdoses from opioids like heroin and fentanyl. Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, restoring the ability to breathe in individuals experiencing an overdose. While naloxone is effective and safe, the video emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after its use, as its effects are temporary, and the underlying opioid presence remains.

This video from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) teaches viewers how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, emphasizing the use of naloxone (Narcan) to reverse the effects. It explains the steps involved in checking for responsiveness, administering naloxone, giving rescue breaths, and calling 911.

To read this graph, start by looking at the title and labels. The title tells you what the graph is about, and the labels on the axes show you what is being measured. Once you understand the labels, look at the data points. These are the dots or bars that represent the information. You can compare the data points to see how the values change over time or in relation to each other.As you scroll your mouse over the various data points, you will learn about the different stimulants that are being combined with opioids and the number of deaths from these lethal combinations that have been reported since 2012. The second graph depicts methamphetamines and cocaine and their involvement in opioid-related deaths.

Xylazine is a powerful non-opioid sedative tranquilizer, often referred to by its street name, tranq. Although not a controlled substance in the United States, xylazine is not approved for use in people. It is increasingly being found in the US illegal drug supply and due to its impact on the opioid crisis, fentanyl being mixed with xylazine has been declared an emerging threat. This combination is especially dangerous and can be life-threatening; therefore, possibly unknowingly exposing people to the harmful effects of the drug (CDC, 2024).This video provides answers to some common questions about xylazine, xylazine use, the symptoms and health risks of xylazine and overdoses involving xylazine.