region/plan-specific news : Pennsylvania HealthChoices

Fentanyl: help raise awareness about its serious dangers

Magellan, our county partners, and our network providers are all concerned by the dangerous effects of fentanyl across Pennsylvania.

The abuse methods of fentanyl are clearly dangerous for the user who could likely have a substance use disorder. However, the more significant danger is experienced by those who are unaware that it often exists in certain street drugs.

Magellan employees author op-ed to increase awareness

To bring increased attention to this issue, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania representatives Ivana Romeo, Stacey Ricca and Anita Kelly shared an op-ed in the Lehigh Valley Ledger (Macungie, PA) in June 2022. Check it out for more information on this important issue.

CDC offers recommendations

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network Advisory in December 2020 to medical and public health professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community partners recommending the following actions:

• Expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education.
• Expand awareness about, access to, and availability of treatment for substance use disorders.
• Intervene early with individuals at highest risk for overdose.
• Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to facilitate a more effective response.

First National Fentanyl Awareness Day observed

May 10, 2022, marked the first-ever observation of National Fentanyl Awareness Day. To mark this important day, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a video and created a website full of resources and critical information for communities and cities across the country. View the video and find opportunities to talk about this issue and share the resources with your family, friends and colleagues.