HASTINGS - On Thursday, May 4, 2023, the United Way of Hastings (UWH) is offering a free educational event highlighting the dangers of opioids and illicit fentanyl poisonings.

“Friends Fighting Against Fentanyl” will be held in the Hastings High School’s Lecture Hall (200 General Sieben Drive, Hastings MN) from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

This event is the sixth public fentanyl poisoning awareness and education event presented by UWH in the last 13 months.

Friends Fighting Against Fentanyl will be in a roundtable discussion format with questions and answers. The event will feature young people speaking out about their experiences with fentanyl poisonings, addiction, and substance use.

In addition, professionals from several organizations will answer questions, and share information and resources. Those attending include Kathy Keena, Dakota County District Attorney; Capt. Bryan Hermerding, commander of the Dakota County Drug Task Force; Bridgette Norring, a V.O.I.D. board member; Rafael Mattei, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge; Justin Thomas, a substance use counselor from Allina Health; and Tiffany Neuharth, co-founder of Rise Up Recovery in Hastings.

Roundtable discussion topics will include the Good Samaritan Law, also known as “Steve’s Law;” what illicit fentanyl and its variants look like; substance use in Hastings and Dakota County; how young people are getting illicit fentanyl; the signs of an opioid (fentanyl) overdose; the use of Narcan (naloxone) to treat overdoses; suggestions on how to talk with children, teens, and young adults; and treatment and recovery options.

Young people, including teens and young adults, plus parents, caregivers, teachers, and concerned community members are encouraged to be there. Attendees are welcome to bring additional questions.

Overdoses and illicit fentanyl poisonings are now the leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 years old1, surpassing car accidents, suicide, and cancer deaths combined. Preliminary data shows in Minnesota, almost 4 people a day die from drug overdoses.2 2021 Minnesota statewide data showed that for every fatal overdose death, up to 13 people were treated for non-fatal overdoses.3 Additional Dakota County data shows 19 overdose deaths in Hastings from 2020 through 2022 (2022 data is provisional).

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. so attendees can visit tables from over a dozen different recovery, advocacy, and support resource organizations.

Illicit fentanyl is so deadly even a tiny amount can be lethal. Many deaths occur because people don’t know they're taking illicit fentanyl; first time users can be poisoned to death. Illicit fentanyl is found in counterfeit pills (which can be purchased online), street drugs, & even marijuana. These substances are often sold through social media and delivered to users.

These educational sessions are the result of extensive collaboration between UWH, parents, city and county governments/law enforcement, the faith community, healthcare community, school district, recovery community and others. This event follows the very successful 5-part educational series on illicit fentanyl and opioids presented by UWH in 2022.

Further details are at: https://unitedwayofhastings.org/site/onepillcankill/ or on the UWH Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayHastings. Questions can also be addressed to the United Way of Hastings at 651-438-3337.

The UWH has been the Heart of Hastings for nearly 60 years working as an independent United Way serving Hastings and the surrounding rural communities within Independent School District #200. The mission is to build partnerships to improve the lives of people in the Hastings area. Initiatives and partner agencies funded by the UWH support Education, Health, and Financial Empowerment, with an emphasis on Youth. Donations are accepted year-round. Every dollar raised in the community stays in the community. For more information about the UWH, visit www.unitedwayofhastings.org.