Drug Overdose is the leading cause of death in Americans younger than 50. American Indians and Alaska Natives are at greatest risk.
In 2021, American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents experienced the highest overdose deaths from fentanyl due to an increased availability of illicit fentanyl. According to a 2024 report, the overdose rate for Native Americans is up 15 percent based on the most recent available data.
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Fentanyl Test Strips Save Lives
Hello, I’m Bridgy.
Hello, I am Bridgy and I’m a citizen of the Pit River Indian Nation and enrolled in the Illmawi Band. The Pit River Tribe, also called Achumawi, is a federally recognized Native American Tribe based in Shasta County, California. It’s made up of 11 autonomous bands. There are only about 300 Illmawi in the entire world and I am proud to one of them!
When I learned that Native Americans had the highest rate of drug-related overdose deaths, I wanted to do my part to bring help, hope and healing. So, I started this nonprofit and launched this website full of resources. I work on it every day, and pray it will make a difference. So many Native lives have been lost. Moreover, fentanyl is now the number killer of people 18-45. This is a terrible tragedy for our nation to bear.
The Problem
In 2022, the CDC reported that the American Indian and Alaska Native population had the highest drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021, at rates of 42.5 and 56.6 deaths per 100,000 persons. This includes a 33% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2020 through 2021. Tribal communities are experiencing an increase in overdoses stemming from people taking drugs that are mixed or cut with other substances, like fentanyl, without their knowledge. (Source: Indian Health Service)
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According to a federal study released in May 2024, more than 321,000 children in the U.S. lost a parent to a drug overdose in the decade between 2011 and 2021. The rate of kids who lost parents to drug overdoses more than doubled during that decade surging from 27 per 100,000 in 2011 to 63 per 100,000 in 2021. The children of American Indians and Alaska Natives lost a parent at more than double the rate of non-Hispanic white parents, 187 per 100,000. (Source: Christopher M. Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH; Kun Zhang, PhD; Beth Han, MD, PhD, MPH; JAMA Psychiatry. 2024;81(8):789-796. doi:10.1001/ jamapsychiatry.2024.0810)
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Although fentanyl is made and used pharmaceutically, it is also produced illegally in other countries and trafficked into the United States, usually as powder and pills. (Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency)
Families, Schools Can Help
Families and schools can be a powerful force in the fight against drug-related overdose.
End Stigma
Substance use disorders are among the most stigmatized chronic diseases. Stigma, which significantly affects Native American communities, prevents people from seeking help.
Assume Your Drugs Contain Fentanyl
Expect Fentanyl and Test Your Drugs
Tool To Prevent Overdose
Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost harm reduction tool that can be used to prevent overdoses in combination with other strategies. FTS were first created to detect fentanyl in urine. They are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). It only takes a few minutes to use the test strips and results are approximately 96% accurate. They’re also considered easy to use. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control)
Unfortunately, FTS are still illegal in Indiana, North Dakota, Idaho, Texas and Iowa.
Cost and Access
Strips cost about $1, but you can sometimes get them for FREE from your city, county or state health department, a community-based organization or a needle exchange program. Unfortunately, some states consider test strips drug paraphernalia (stuff you need to do drugs) and are illegal. But many public officials support them for their life-saving ability.
(Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control)
The Safest Option
The safest option is to not use illegal drugs. If you are struggling with addiction, recovery is possible. There are medications and therapy, which can help you overcome addiction. Click the button below to find a drug treatment program near you. And please remember, if you’re going to use street drugs, test them for fentanyl first. It could save your life.
(Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control)
Statistics | Source: USAFACTS.org
Opioids claimed 800,000 American lives between 1999 and 2023.
Fetanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. It is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
What is happening?
Drug Dealers Add Fentanyl
Some people intentionally use fentanyl, but others take it without their knowledge. This happens because drug dealers often mix fentanyl, a cheap and strong drug, with drugs like heroin, cocaine, meth and more.
No Guarantees With Street Drugs
There are no guarantees with street drugs and what they may or may not contain. The person who sells or gives you drugs may say they don’t contain fentanyl but how do they know? Literally, the only way YOU can know if your drugs are contaminated is to test them. Remember, fentanyl is odorless and tasteless.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect
One portion of a drug may contain fentanyl, while another portion may not.
FAKE
BEWARE of FAKE XANAX, ADDERALL. Carry Naloxone. Noone Else Has to D!e.
If you unknowingly take fentanyl, you might get a higher dose of opioids than your body can handle. This puts you at risk of overdose and even death. Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs you intend to use. It’s even been found in fake Xanax and Adderall, etc.
Naloxone, including NARCAN® Nasal Spray, can reverse Fentanyl overdoses. It is available in all 50 states. It’s available at your local pharmacy, without a prescription. You can also get free Naloxone from community-based naloxone and most syringe services programs.
I would love to share your story.
I believe in the power of stories to change lives. Do you have a story of hope and recovery you’d like to share? I’d love to feature YOU on this website and our Instagram feed. Together we can End Native Overdose. Email Bridgy [at] EndNativeOverdose [dot] org.
Read the latest news about the fight to end the fentanyl crisis in the United States of America.
Fourteen indicted in multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy linked to deadly fentanyl distributed to members of the Lummi Nation
SEATTLE | U.S. District Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington – Law enforcement fanned out across the country and in western Washington yesterday arresting 17 people on indictments and criminal complaints for a multi- state drug trafficking conspiracy. The...
Saving A Generation: The Fentanyl Crisis
Saving A Generation: The Fentanyl Crisis airs tonight, Friday, October 4, on stations across the United States. Please check your local listings for this important program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug2dKFExP28 AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Fentanyl poisonings are killing...
Into The Light
Please check out Into The Light, a national non-profit that creates public exhibitions of original portraits and individual stories of people who have died from the disease of drug addiction in locations around the country. Their mission is to change the conversation...
End Native Overdose is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 99-4332473). Our mission is to end drug-related overdose deaths among American Indian and Alaskan Native adolescents through education and public awareness.
Copyright Infringement, Source Citing, Plagiarism
Every effort is made not to plagiarize news stories and original, primary research. I try to be very diligent about citing the original, primary sources of the information shared on this website. All my research is secondary. No copyright infringement is ever intended. If you are a journalist or researcher and believe I have improperly cited your work, please contact me immediately so I can correct it. Thank you, Bridgy
About Bridgette (Hey, that's me!)
Hello, I'm Bridgy, founder of End Native Overdose. I'm a Native Oklahoman; citizen of the United States of America, and the amazing Pit River Nation. I am enrolled in the Illmawi Band. A rising high school senior, I am a member of the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Class of 2025.