What a fentanyl court sentencing and new outreach campaign tell us about the opioid crisis
A 45-year-old New Castle County man has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that led to two overdose deaths, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware.
His sentencing Thursday comes two days after the Delaware Division of Public Health announced a new fentanyl awareness campaign geared toward young people.
Katie Capelli, an epidemiologist with the Division of Public Health, said the campaign seeks to "empower youth and young adults to make wise decisions" by educating them about the potential presence of fentanyl in other drugs they may be using. It is specifically geared towards people between the ages of 14 and 25 who are experimenting with drugs or recreational users.
Campaign geared towards prevention and awareness, not harm reduction
While research shows that this demographic is not at the highest risk for drug overdoses, Capelli said that members of this age group — as well as their parents — often don't fully understand the widespread presence of fentanyl. New data from the Drug Enforcement Administration shows that of all fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills tested this year, six out of 10 contained lethal amounts of fentanyl.
MORE:From clean needles to free naloxone, Delaware outreach groups reducing harm of addiction
DPH's campaign takes after the DEA's similar push for awareness called "One Pill Can Kill," which emphasizes the prevalence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills. It will include posters at community hubs as well as posts on social media, where the DEA said an increasing number of young people are purchasing their drugs.
Capelli emphasized that the campaign is not meant to be a fear tactic; instead, DPH is trying to "meet (young people) where they're at."
And while DPH and other community organizations do offer free resources like fentanyl test strips, Capelli said this campaign in particular is focused on awareness, not harm reduction.
Counterfeit pills are not the only drugs at risk of being contaminated with stronger, more fatal components. For those using what they believe to be heroin or fentanyl, an even more potent drug has made its way into the market — with deadly consequences.
RELATED:Delaware's plan to prevent more overdoses involves fentanyl testing strips. Here's how it works.
Xylazine, originally used as a horse tranquilizer, has recently risen in prevalence in the region, causing alarm for many activists and health workers. Experts say it's often taken along with opioids, either with or without the user's knowledge. However, because xylazine is not an opioid, the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is less effective.
Research on the drug's scope and impact on the U.S. is still in early stages.
Court records show that the presence of xylazine in what was sold as fentanyl likely contributed to the two fatal overdoses referenced in the sentencing last week.
Sentencing for fatal overdoses shows impact of addiction
U.S. Attorney David Weiss argued that the 45-year-old defendant knew that the drugs he sold had caused two deadly overdoses in early 2021, yet continued to sell anyway. Court records show the man was recorded telling a distributor working with police that he had to change how he stamped his drugs so that police couldn't track the overdoses back to him.
Weiss acknowledged that the defendant was "likely selling to support a habit and to afford the basics of life," but said that because he did not "take advantage" of drug treatment programs offered to him upon prior arrests or "get himself clean," he should be sentenced to at least 12 years behind bars.
OVERDOSES:Delaware's overdose deaths are rising in Black community, downstate. What the data shows
The man's defense team argued that there was more to the story.
They explained that the 45-year-old grew up surrounded by gang violence, drug use and abuse. Court documents show his entire family struggled with addiction, and the defendant himself has "suffered from this disease nearly his entire life." At the same time, public defenders said the man "has made earnest efforts to heal."
He voluntarily entered treatment multiple times, records show, and is "committed to overcoming the demon that has haunted (him) and so many of those he has loved," according to his attorneys. They also questioned Weiss' assertions about the man's knowledge of the overdoses.
Ultimately, the judge decided on a sentencing in the middle of both sides' recommendations.
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How to find help
Delaware Hope Line: 833-9-HOPEDE for free 24/7 counseling, coaching and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction and crisis services. Resources also can be found on the Help is Here website.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357) for free 24/7 substance abuse disorder treatment referral services. Treatment service locators also are available online at findtreatment.samhsa.gov or via text message by sending your ZIP code to 435748.
Syringe Services Program: Mobile outreach sites are available statewide for free needle exchanges, HIV and hepatitis C screenings and treatment referrals. See the monthly schedule online at brandywinecounseling.com/ssp.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Fentanyl's impact on Delaware leads to new campaign, court ruling
