Fentanyl, here’s the government’s grip. «A shared prevention plan»

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National Prevention Plan Against Fentanyl Abuse Announced by Italian Government

In response to the alarming spread of Fentanyl outside healthcare circuits, the Council of Ministers in Italy has announced a National Prevention Plan against the improper use of the synthetic opioid. The plan, which involves collaboration between various ministries and experts in the field, aims to prevent a surge in overdoses and deaths related to Fentanyl abuse.

The alert was raised by the Prevention Directorate of the Ministry of Health to the regions, the Department of Anti-drug Policies, and the Carabinieri Command for the protection of health following the spread of Fentanyl, triggering a level three alert – the maximum one.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid with a potency one hundred times greater than that of morphine, is used as an anesthetic and analgesic in healthcare but is increasingly being used as a drug. The increase in Fentanyl abuse has been linked to a rise in overdose deaths, particularly in the United States. The drug is estimated to have caused around 200,000 deaths in three years, with most of the doses coming from China.

The international drug trade has also been affected by the rise in Fentanyl abuse, with criminal traffickers diverting their focus to synthetic drugs due to a decline in opium production. This shift has raised concerns about the availability and distribution of Fentanyl in Europe and Italy.

The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, and the Minister of Education, Giuseppe Valditara, will unveil the details of the National Prevention Plan in a press conference tomorrow. The plan, developed in collaboration with experts in the field, aims to address the growing threat of Fentanyl abuse and overdose deaths.

As the government prepares to implement comprehensive actions to combat the improper use of Fentanyl, experts warn that the opioid is often mixed with other drugs, making it difficult to treat with traditional antidotes. The availability of naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdose, is being urged in ambulances across the country to combat the rising threat of Fentanyl abuse.

The announcement of the National Prevention Plan signals a significant step towards addressing the dangers posed by Fentanyl abuse and underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between various ministries and experts in the field to protect public health and safety.