Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Coordinators: Katherine Argueta (727-692-4811)

Course Description: The increase of prescription drugs has led to the drastic proliferation of heroin abuse in our society and the emergence of fentanyl analogues. This course will provide students with an understanding of factors that influence the use and abuse of heroin and fentanyl. Starting with the history of opium, participants will explore the evolution of opium and opiates leading to fentanyl and the impact on law enforcement investigations and the communities they serve. The course will discuss safe handling of substances, precautions when encountering those who abuse opiates and opioids, and securing evidence.

Objectives:

  • Explain the history of opium.
  • Explain the difference between terms, opioid, opiate, heroin, fentanyl, and narcotics.
  • Recognize street names used for opioids, opiates, fentanyl analogues, and prescription pills containing those substances.
  • Identify signs and symptoms of intoxication by persons under the influence of opiates, opioids, heroin, fentanyl analogues, and prescription pills.
  • Understand the methods by which opiate, opioids, heroin, and other substances are ingested.
  • Recognize and identify paraphernalia associated with ingestion of heroin, fentanyl analogues, and their derivatives.
  • Recognize the forms of heroin, fentanyl analogues, and prescription pills containing opioids and opium.
  • Explain the allure to opioids, opiates, and heroin by those who use/abuse them and progression to addiction.
  • Design strategies to create a positive impact upon their community to meet the challenges of the current opioid/opium crisis.
  • Explain the importance for safe handling of suspected opioids, opiates, and fentanyl substances.
  • Explain the long-term effects from opiate, opioid, fentanyl use.
  • Understand how naloxone works during an opioid or opiate overdose.
  • Understand safe methods to handle opiates and opioids and the associated risk factors of exposure.

Course Topics:

  • History of Opium
  • Factors Leading to Abuse
  • Methods of Drug Ingestion
  • Drug Interactions with the Body
  • Signs and Symptoms of Opiate/Opioid Use
  • Long-Term Effects on Body
  • Heroin, Opiates and Opioids
  • Substances Used in Conjunction with Opioids and Opiates
  • Fentanyl
  • Naloxone
  • Dangers of drug substances

Course Schedule and Contacts:

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