Pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is a legitimate opioid medication that is regulated and meets strict quality standards. It is carefully blended to ensure precise dosing and is administered by doctors. This fentanyl is often used as anesthesia for surgery and for chronic pain associated with terminal illnesses, like cancer. However, like other opioids, it can lead to addiction when it’s misused.
Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is the version that is illegally made and mixed into powders and pills by drug dealers. Since this is made in unsterile conditions, often in garages and basements, there is no quality control or dosing consistency, making it extremely dangerous. Sometimes, illicit fentanyl isn’t even real fentanyl. Instead, ingredients may be altered, which can produce fentanyl analogs. That means it’s similar to fentanyl, but not the same. Some of these analogs that have been developed are even stronger than true fentanyl, making it even more deadly.
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Fight the Fentanyl Crisis with Knowledge!
FAST FACTS
Fentanyl is involved in more American youth deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos and RX drugs COMBINED.
Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. It kills more people than heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide and accidents.
Fake pills are the main reason fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing amongst youth.
Practically all of the pills seized by law enforcement are fake, and a majority (70%) contain a potentially lethal amount of fentnayl.
Only 36% of teens are aware that fentanyl is being used to create counterfeit pills.
Fentanyl is cheap, potent and profitable, which is why it is used to make fake pills or to mix it into other drugs.
It is estimated
250 - 500 million pills made with fentanyl are in circulation in the US at any time.
Among teens, overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl TRIPLED in the past two years.
Fact source: FentanylAwarenessDay.org
73% of teens of teens aren't aware that fake pills being made with fentanyl.
Download our fact sheets below and have important conversations with your loved ones TODAY. Spanish and English versions available.
Harm Reduction
Naloxone
Naloxone is a medication that is designed to reverse opioid overdose. It is now available over-the-counter. It works by binding to opioid receptors, which can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.
Naloxone should be administered if a person is showing signs an overdose. After administering naloxone, the person should seek immediate medical attention because it is possible to overdose again when the naloxone wears off.
Signs of Overdose:
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Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
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Falling asleep/loss of consciousness/limp body
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Shallow or slow breathing
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Pale, blue, or ashen-colored skin
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Choking or gurgling sounds
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You can also take part in a free naloxone training. In Connecticut, contact your regional behavioral health action organization.
Fentanyl Test Strips
Fentanyl test strips can be used to identify the presence of fentanyl injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Although the tests are highly sensitive, it is possible that fentanyl is present in another part of the substance that wasn't tested.
How they work:
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Dissolve a small amount of substance in water.
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Dip the test strip into the liquid for 15 seconds.
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Read result after 5 minutes.
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