The City of Cordova and Cordova Community Medical Center, as well as the Native Village of Eyak and Ilanka Community Health Center, are jointly warning Cordovans that they have received reports of street drugs containing fentanyl in Cordova. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, and significantly increases the risk of death from accidental overdose.
Fentanyl test strips and Narcan are available free of charge at both Cordova Community Medical Center and Ilanka Health Center. Individuals will be trained upon pickup in how to administer Narcan as well as how to use test strips to test opioids for the presence of Fentanyl. Narcan is a medication which can reverse the effects of an overdose from heroin or other opioids. Anybody who uses non-prescription opioids or knows someone who does is strongly encouraged to keep Narcan with them at all times. Individuals should avoid using opioids alone, or at least inform someone that they will be using. The strength of every new batch of heroin is unknown, and individuals who choose to use these drugs should first use a small tester shot to determine strength to help prevent accidental overdose.
It is difficult to know who is or is not using opioids; there exist many high-functioning opioid users. It is important that as a community we destigmatize the use of these drugs so users are not afraid to seek the help and resources they need. Every day more than 100 people die in the U.S. as a result of drug overdose. In the last decade drug overdose has surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Signs of opioid overdose include: pinpointed pupils; not being responsive to sound or pain; not breathing; blue lips or fingertips; and gurgling sounds.
Look out for each other. Care for each other. If you or someone close to you uses opioids, please take advantage of available community resources.
If you have information regarding illegal drug activity in Cordova, please share it with the Mat-Su Drug Narcotics Enforcement Team, whose investigations include the Cordova area. Their tip line is (907)373-0705.