Fentanyl: A Deadly Killer Alert
Law enforcement has long been aware of this country's Fentanyl epidemic and the dangers it poses to themselves and the general public. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that mimics the effects of morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. I remember reviewing the law enforcement bulletins warning officers of these dangers. These bulletins also reported deaths or injuries sustained through misidentification or mishandling of the substance. Since early May, law enforcement has seized brightly colored pills and candy-shaped tabs containing fentanyl in at least 21 states. Many major news outlets have carried this story in light of upcoming Halloween celebrations. However if this sounds like news to you, you may have been especially busy these last few weeks and need to read this article. Doing so, might help keep your fun and spooky festivities from turning into a real-life, scary and dangerous situation.
Dubbed as "rainbow fentanyl" in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people. Rainbow fentanyl is found in pills and powders that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes. "This is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is a lethal dose. However, without laboratory testing, there is no way to know how much fentanyl concentrate is in a pill or powder.¹
Law enforcement encounters various fentanyl delivery systems, including brightly colored pills, powders, "chalk" chunks, gummies, and vitamin-shaped tabs. DEA agents conducted 389 investigations, including 35 cartel-linked investigations in 201 cities these past months. Over the course of these investigations, the DEA seized over 10 million fake pills and 82 pounds of fentanyl powder. That is enough to kill 36 million Americans.²
There are 42 known illicitly manufactured fentanyl analogs on the market, and these analogs have been detected in counterfeit pills, powder, blotter paper, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine.³ There are a number of ways to ingest fentanyl. It can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or absorbed in the mouth with a blotter paper. It can also be accidentally absorbed through the skin, where possessors are unaware that the substances they are handling contain fentanyl. In most cases, you will not die from a small exposure via direct skin contact, but you WILL experience symptoms, and if the exposure is significant, death can result.
The symptoms of fentanyl intoxication include:
• Respiratory distress, respiratory depression, or arrest
• Drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation
• Cold, clammy skin
• Discolored skin, especially around the lips and nails
• Pinpoint pupils
• Loss of consciousness or limp body
• Nausea/Vomiting, gurgling or choking sounds
If you encounter anyone exhibiting these symptoms, call 911 and be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for needles and other paraphernalia that would indicate a drug overdose. Beware of powders in the area as well. Naloxone is a known antidote and life-saving measure for opioid overdoses and can be administered to a person exhibiting the above-listed medical issues. Naloxone is delivered as an intramuscular/intravenous injection or through the nose with nasal Naloxone. Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed or even stopped due to an opioid overdose.⁴ In some cases, more than one dose of Naloxone may be required when more potent opioids like fentanyl are involved.
Naloxone is available in every state and is no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose. Since Naloxone won't harm a person if they're overdosing on drugs other than opioids, it's always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing. If you give someone naloxone, stay with them until emergency help arrives or for at least four hours to ensure their breathing returns to normal.⁵ For more information on Naloxone, visit https://www.cdc.gov and don't forget to review updated stories on this unfolding epidemic via local news outlets.
With Halloween coming and the dangers that this drug poses, I would seriously consider obtaining the nasal spray, especially for those with children who could accidentally get exposed to fake candies as described in this article or obtained from a prescription bottle left open in a home. The nasal spray is easy to carry and administer. Either way, it is safer to have this and use it than not to have it at all. Since giving it to a possible overdose victim will not hurt them, why not err on the side of safety?
Boss Security Screens is your safety partner in all matters that threaten you or your family members. Stay tuned because we will be covering safe practices throughout October as we inch closer to Halloween. Here's wishing you all a safe and happy Halloween season.
Until next time, be safe and remain vigilant!
Written by,
Michael Johnston
Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens
*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided. This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author.
1 https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans
2 https://abcnews.go.com/US/doj-seizes-10-million-fake-fentanyl-laced-pills/story?id=90622962
3 NC SBI Crime Lab. Personal Communications November 2017
4 Harm Reduction TO — Naloxone: Overdose Reversal https://harmreductionto.ca/naloxone
5 https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html