Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative

The goal of this initiative is to connect individuals suffering from substance use disorder with treatment options. Drug overdoses are now the number one accidental killer in the Commonwealth. It is our greatest public health challenge and our greatest public safety challenge.

When a Pennsylvania county joins the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative program, every law enforcement entity within that county has an opportunity to save lives and play a role in breaking the stigma of drug and alcohol addiction. The program empowers law enforcement officers as well as others to guide individuals who are suffering from addiction into treatment, rather than diverting them into the criminal system. Click here for a LETI informational sheet.

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In addition to law enforcement, this program also empowers individuals and families to get involved in breaking the cycle of addiction. The first step towards recovery is helping an individual who is suffering from addiction into treatment. Those in need of a treatment referral for either themselves or family members should view the Regional and County Wide Drug and Alcohol Treatment Resource Guide. The guide allows individuals to search for the county in which they reside and call the number provided to speak with someone who can walk them through the process of seeking treatment.

Fentanyl and Xylazine

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a potent opioid medication that is used to treat severe pain that is available by prescription only given by a doctor. Fentanyl is often found in many street drugs. This creates a higher risk of overdose because the person using may not know fentanyl has been added.

Signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:

slow or shallow breathing
slow heartbeat
severe sleepiness
cold, clammy skin
trouble walking or talking
feeling faint, dizzy, or confused
unresponsiveness

What is Xylazine?

Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths nationwide in the evolving drug addiction crisis. People who use illegal drugs may not be aware of the presence of xylazine.

What are symptoms and health risks of xylazine?

sedation
difficulty breathing
dangerously low blood pressure
slowed heart rate
wounds that can become infected
severe withdrawal symptoms
death

Facts regarding Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips:

They are legal to use in Pennsylvania.
Fentanyl test strips can be used to determine the presence of fentanyl in a substance.
Xylazine test strips can be used to determine the presence of Xylazine in a substance.

Importance of Naloxone (Narcan):

Naloxone nasal is used in an emergency situation to treat a known or suspected opioid overdose. Naloxone (Narcan) should not be used in place of emergency medical care.

Naloxone (Narcan) will not be effective on Xylazine alone. If there are Opioids mixed in with the substance, Narcan Naloxone (Narcan) can be given. Rescue breaths are also recommended.

If you are interested in obtaining Naloxone (Narcan) or Fentanyl or Xylazine test strips, the PA Overdose Prevention Program has the ability to give you Naloxone (Narcan) as well as test strips. Please click this link and fill out the request form.

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