Healthy Charlotte Alliance hosts “One Pill Can Kill: Raising Awareness Around the Fentanyl Crisis” event

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An important community conversation about fentanyl was hosted in Charlotte Tuesday. A panel made up of doctors, a police officer, a nurse who battled addiction herself and a mom who lost a son to fentanyl poisoning talked to a crowd of about 125 people at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.

The experts shared important information about the drug, including how it’s 50 times more potent than morphine. And, how it takes just a pencil point’s worth of fentanyl to kill someone. Police say it’s being cut into all kinds of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana.

Healthy Charlotte Alliance organized the event. Their board chairwoman said this is one way to combat the crisis in the Charlotte area: “Education is key. Not having shame about it. Understanding. Do not take a pill that does not come from a pharmacy. And that it is everywhere. It is really everywhere. And it’s a scary thing,” says Jennie Carruth.

WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty emceed the discussion. Everyone who attended left with a dose of Naloxone to carry with them or give to someone who may need. Naloxone can reverse the effects of fentanyl and save lives.