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OK @WNYT and other media outlets, we need to have a chat about this. It’s going to be a somewhat long, but important educational thread. 1/
To preface, I work with media, law enforcement, and elected officials as part of my job. As a result, much of this serves as an inside analysis of how things go this wrong and exposes some fundamental issues with our approach to drugs. 2/
There have been many cases reported by law enforcement and other first responders of incidental exposure to fentanyl leading to symptoms or overdoses by those responding. Media picks them up and runs them, almost never interviewing toxicologists or other experts. 3/
Fundamental flaw number one: Media acts as a communications arm of law enforcement. I know this because journalists have flat out told me they take what law enforcement report as fact and rarely check it. 4/
These reports get sent around as bulletins to law enforcement and first responders via e-mail, briefings, etc. Again, I know this because they’ve been forwarded to me by the people who get them. 5/
I don’t begrudge law enforcement for doing this, they can and should take their safety seriously. But again, nobody consults with toxicology or other experts, so the info proliferates unchecked. This is fundamental flaw number two. 6/
So, some actual facts: Experts agree that the real dangers of occupational/incidental exposure to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs as occurs with first response/law enforcement is extremely low. 7
The “few grains can kill you” logic is transferred from what is an actual risk- Fentanyl showing up in the street drug supply people inject or otherwise ingest. It is not, in illicitly manufactured form, easily absorbed into the skin or inhaled. 8/
If it was really this deadly, the people dealing it, doing it, and the people around them would be dying and we would know it. Also, harm reductionists like me would already be dead. 9/
So what IS really happening to these first responders and law enforcement? A panic response due to the first fundamental flaws I’ve highlighted. Hear this: None of these reported cases have been confirmed with toxicology on the people exposed. None. 10/
A person exposed to enough of a substance to have symptoms or experience an overdose would screen positive for that substance upon receiving medical care. That hasn’t happened. 11/
So, we have a case where the people who do face very real risks while doing their jobs are incredibly worried about something that carries little risk. So, the natural response is to panic, & anyone who has had a panic attack knows the symptoms are very real and terrrifying. 12/
So it’s a cycle that feeds itself with no correction. Meanwhile elected officials like @SenSchumer pick up on it and throw resources behind it. And perpetuates the myth in communications and press conferences. Which the media then pick up. Rinse/repeat. 13/
Fundamental flaw three: The need for elected officials to show that they’re “doing something” about the overdose crisis. Well, I can think of a lot better ways to use 80k than this, but I’ll save that. 14/
There are real concerns with fentanyl that we should absolutely be addressing, is it is fueling the overdose crisis in many communities. But to be clear, these are the tea leaves: Increased enforcement & criminalization does not work to reduce drug use or drug-related crime. 15/
All of this panic and increase to law enforcement resources always result in more arrests, more incarceration, more death, disproportionate harm to people of color and poorer communities-with none of the outcomes we want. 16/
To be clear, there’s a brewing doubling down on failed drug war approaches happening specific to fentanyl. NY is proposing a scheduling change that will undoubtedly lead to increased penalties. 17/
Investments in screening technology is but one more way we can see where this is going despite clear historical proof of failures of law enforcement based supply side interventions. 18/
I’m frankly exhausted from trying to help dispel myths like this, especially given the direct harm they cause to people who use drugs, communities, first responders, chronic pain patients, and law enforcement. 19/
Resources: harmreduction.org/blog/fentanyl-…
Resources: nytimes.com/2018/01/23/opi…
Resources: wcpo.com/news/local-new…
Resources: @missourinetwork video
Thanks for coming, I’m happy to talk to anyone locally about this and direct you to other experts. @WNYT @CBS6Albany @SPECNewsAlbany @BenitaZahn @emilydevito
Lastly, for more about advancing health-based policies that work, follow our work @katalcenter
