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Numerous non-profit organizations have come together to eliminate the presence of fentanyl and other illicit drugs in Arecibo.
This effort is led by Arecibo mayoral hopeful José “Memo” González Mercado, alongside senior officials from the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA).
Earlier this week, a bustling Nautical Club provided a venue for the leaders of numerous non-profit organizations to formulate a strategy to tackle the growing crisis pertaining to the use of the aforementioned controlled substances, which has claimed the lives of eight individuals in Arecibo.
Recently, at least 10 people across the island have lost their lives due to overdoses linked to drugs tainted with fentanyl.
“It’s encouraging to respond to the needs and worries of our community. The influx of fentanyl in our municipality has evolved into a health emergency; that’s why it’s vital for everyone to come together to eliminate this dreadful issue,” González Mercado stated. “Today [Monday], we witnessed the dedication of leaders from various non-profit organizations, including our local churches, in supporting this mission. We designed a community impact initiative to reach out to these neighborhoods, guide the residents, and, crucially, equip those affected by this dependency with essential resources. Substance addiction is a condition that requires such an approach.”
The District 14 House representative expressed gratitude towards ASSMCA Administrator Carmen Bonet and Dr. Isis Rosales, the regional director of the Department of Health, along with others, “for their support in training our non-profit organizations and churches on how to provide and manage naloxone (commonly recognized by its brand name Narcan) testing for opioid overdose response kits.”
“The organizations collaborated to coordinate the distribution of these ‘kits,’ which are crucial in the battle against this drug,” González Mercado commented. “This marks one of several initiatives already underway, and we will persist in uniting our efforts, as each individual will be addressed on a personal basis through a healthcare lens.”
