EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

Department of Health Opens Opioid Resource Site

In an effort to share data and resources for health care providers and consumers on the front lines of the opioid crisis, the NYSDOH Opioid Prevention Program recently launched a public website designed to provide useful information regarding opioid use and misuse and describe New York state’s efforts in addressing this crisis. The site contains statistics and resources on opioid use and misuse across New York state. Visit the site here.

"Methyl Fentanyl Bad Stuff"

EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, writing on his Fire Engineering blog, thinks we've developed a case of "fentanyl analog paranoia." McEvoy thinks we need to collectively, as fire and EMS providers, take action to stop the hysteria being propagated in the news media and social networks on life threatening dangers of carfentanil and other drugs to first responders. It's time to smarten up, use PPE appropriate to the risk, keep calm, and behave logically when things don't go as expected. Read the blog post here.