Sumter Behavioral Health to spread fentanyl awareness with informational event Aug. 21

Aug. 21 is National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, and Sumter Behavioral Health is hosting an informational event that day for Sumter locals.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reports that from 2020 to 2021, there was a 35% increase in fentanyl-related deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that fentanyl is sometimes laced into other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and meth, and it's also undetectable to human senses unless a test strip is used. Consuming a minuscule amount can result in death.

Sumter Behavioral Health will be at the intersection of Main and Liberty streets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21.

"National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is established in remembrance of those lost to illicit fentanyl poisoning and to acknowledge the devastation this drug has brought to hundreds of thousands of affected family members and friends," according to a flyer for the event. "This is a day of a coordinated response from members of the Sumter community to inform our youth, the public and the unsuspecting."