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(Medical-NewsWire.com, July 13, 2015 ) Baltimore, MD -- Baltimore health officials have announced a campaign which was designed to warn heroin users that the drugs which they buy on the streets can contain potent levels of fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller, according to Washington Post.
Federal officials claim that the synthetic opioid is 30 t0 50 times more powerful than heroin and has been linked to the hundreds of deaths among drug users nationwide since 2013. There have been initiatives set forth by health officials, law enforcement authorities and counselors to issue warnings about the dangers of fentanyl over a year ago, however the warnings have not been able to put an end to the stint of overdoses.
Fentanyl-related deaths accounted for nearly a quarter of drug overdose deaths in Maryland, a four percent increase from 2013. The high percentage of fentanyl-related deaths trumps the percentages of deaths related to cocaine and alcohol, and are nearing the rates of prescription drug deaths.
Baltimore suffered a significant rate of fentanyl-related deaths, according to reports the city has suffered 39 fentanyl-related deaths in the first quarter of 2015. The number of fentanyl-related deaths in Maryland account for over half of the 73 fentanyl-related deaths which have taken place in Maryland during the first quarter of the year.
"It's unclear why it's happening in Baltimore now, but it is a trend throughout the state and country. Our goal is to alert the public, alert residents that heroin may be laced with fentanyl," says Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen.
Public health officials admitted to lacking good data on how to effectively warn users about the dangers of fentanyl. As a result, the city of Baltimore is using trusted workers from it's needle exchange program which has operated for two decades, to help spread "lifesaving tips" versus telling users to quit using heroin, according to reports.
A medical associate from Drug Rehab Baltimore comments "I am genuinely excited about the launch of this campaign. I am a firm believer that it will help create a significant decline in the amount of overdoses and overdose deaths statewide, The growing heroin epidemic in Baltimore is scary and the amount of people dying as a result of it is even scarier. We treat an expansive amount of clients for heroin use at our heroin rehab in Baltimore. The wild thing about heroin is that people of all ages and backgrounds are using this deadly drug. We've treated people who were college scholars to people who were wealthy business owners. Heroin is a very dangerous drug."
Drug Rehab Baltimore is a comprehensive drug rehab in Baltimore, MD which specializes in providing a myriad of addiction and substance abuse treatments. The facility is medically monitored 24/7 providing patients with a safe and distraction-free environment. Drug rehab Baltimore's award-winning staff is dedicated to insuring that every patient achieves a complete and successful recovery from addiction and substance abuse.
To learn more about the addiction and recovery services offered at Drug Rehab Baltimore visit their website at http://www.drugrehabbaltimore.net/ or call the center directly at (410) 709-3816.
About Drug Rehab Baltimore:
Drug Rehab Baltimore is a comprehensive addiction treatment center which aims to treat recovering addicts citywide, statewide, and nationwide.
Drug Rehab Baltimore
Drug Rehab Baltimore Drug Rehab Baltimore
(410) 709-3816
info@drugrehabbaltimore.com
Source: EmailWire.Com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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