Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s much stronger than morphine. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to treat severe pain, but illegally manufactured fentanyl is often added to other drugs like heroin, cocaine, or fake prescription pills without people knowing.

Drugs commonly laced with fentanyl

    • Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)

    • Oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®)

    • Alprazolam (Xanax®)

    • Amphetamines (Adderall®)

    • Methamphetamines

    • Cocaine

    • MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly)

Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous because many people may be unaware that their drugs contain fentanyl, which can lead to accidental overdose and death. They are made to mimic the appearance of prescription drugs, with the same shape, color, size, and markings. 

Often, both teens and young adults get pills from sources they trust: friends. Two-thirds of teens and young adults who report non-medical use of prescription medicine are getting it from friends, family, and acquaintances. But, no pill can be considered safe. Distinguishing a doctor-prescribed pill from a counterfeit pill is very difficult.

Authentic M30 tablets versus fake M30 tablets | Safer Sacramento Youth

Drug overdoses and poisonings are now the third-leading cause of adolescent deaths in America, following car crashes and gun-related fatalities. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly – approximately the amount of 2 grains of salt.

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths among California’s youth ages 10-19 increased 625% from 2018 to 2020, and emergency department visits for non-fatal opioid overdoses more than tripled.

According to the CDC, deaths from fentanyl poisoning are fastest growing among 14- to 23-year-olds, and fentanyl is involved in 79% of Gen Z drug deaths.

Risk of overdose

    • Extreme drowsiness

    • Difficulty walking and talking

    • Blue or grey lips or nails

    • Pinpoint (very small) pupils

    • Cold and clammy skin

    • dizziness and confusion

    • Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds

    • Slow, weak, or no breathing

    • Inability to wake up, even when shaken or shouted at

If you think someone is suffering from an opioid/fentanyl overdose, administer Narcan and call 911 immediately.

Harm reduction

  • If something goes wrong, someone else can call for help.

  • Combining opioids with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of overdose.

  • This life-saving medication can reverse an opioid overdose.

  • While fentanyl test strips have the potential to reduce fatalities, they are not 100% reliable and do not guarantee the safety of a drug. The concentration of fentanyl in counterfeit pills is inconsistent, so testing a portion of a pill may not accurately detect fentanyl.

Taking steps to reduce harm from substance use or misuse can save lives