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Writer's pictureThe San Juan Daily Star

Nonprofits join forces to stop the use of fentanyl




By The Star Staff


Dozens of non-profit organizations have joined forces to eradicate the use of fentanyl and other illegal substances in Arecibo.


The initiative is headed by Arecibo mayoral candidate José “Memo” González Mercado, and the senior management of the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA).


A packed Nautical Club served as the stage earlier this week for directors of dozens of non-profit entities to develop a program to address the emerging crisis involving the use of the aforementioned controlled substance, which has already taken the lives of eight people in Arecibo.


At least 10 individuals islandwide have died from overdoses of drugs that were adulterated with fentanyl in recent weeks.


“It is good to be able to address the requests and concerns of our people. The use of fentanyl in our town has become a health crisis; that is why we need everyone to eradicate this terrible evil,” González Mercado said. “Today [Monday] we observed the commitment of directors of dozens of non-profit organizations, including our churches, to help in this effort. We developed a community impact plan in order to visit these areas, guide their residents, and, above all, provide the necessary tools so that people who use this substance can get out of this dependency. Drug addiction is a disease that must be treated this way.”


The District 14 House lawmaker thanked ASSMCA Administrator, Carmen Bonet and the regional director of the Department of Health, Dr. Isis Rosales, as well as others, “for accompanying me, guiding and training our non-profit organizations and churches on how to provide and administer naloxone (often known by its brand name Narcan) tests for opioid overdose kits.”


“The organizations joined together to, in coordination, deliver these ‘kits,’ so necessary in the fight against this drug,” González Mercado said. “This is one of several steps already taken’ in addition we will continue joining forces, since each person will be worked on individually and through a health approach.”

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