Facts about Fentanyl
Fentanyl
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine and considered more deadly than heroin due to its potency and speed. It can cause life- threatening effects within two minutes of use.
- 2 to 3 milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill a human adult
- There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids (made in a laboratory).
- Fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illegally made fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Illegally made fentanyl (IMF) is available on the drug market in different forms, including liquid and powder.
- Powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble other prescription opioids. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it. In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies.
- Synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to nearly 70% of overdose deaths.
- Any drugs could contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn't be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It's nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips.
- Fentanyl has street names - Apace, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Jackpot, King Ivory, Murder 8, Poison and Tango & Cash
- Fentanyl can be consumed in many ways - snorted/sniffed, smoked, orally by pill or tablet, spiked onto blotter paper, patches, sold alone or in combination with heroin and other substances, has been identified in fake pills, mimicking pharmaceutical drugs such as oxycodone.
- Fentanyl's effect on the body is similar to other opioid analgesics, fentanyl produces effects such as: relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression.
- A Fentanyl overdose can cause stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, cyanosis, coma, and respiratory failure leading to death. The presence of a triad of symptoms such as coma, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression strongly suggests opioid intoxication.
- Fentanyl is addictive because of its potency.