One Drug – Many Forms
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is:
Extremely potent: Just two milligrams of fentanyl (think: a tiny grain of salt) can be fatal for the average person.
Odorless, tasteless, and invisible to the naked eye.
Fentanyl comes in two primary forms: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Illicit fentanyl has been found in all street drugs and comes in a powdered, pill, and liquid form.
Pill Form
Drug cartels also use fentanyl to manufacture fake prescription pills that resemble commonly prescribed opioids such as Oxycodone and Percocet and other prescriptions such as Xanax and Adderall, all of which are popular party drugs used by teens. Teens who buy pills and other drugs on the street or social media have no way of knowing if what they’re getting has fentanyl.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Announces New Trend: Rainbow Fentanyl
Rainbow fentanyl refers to brightly-colored fentanyl found in various forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble candy or sidewalk chalk. This new method employed by drug cartels poses a significant danger, particularly to children who may mistake the brightly colored pills for candy.
Myth: Color variations indicate pills are more potent.
Fact: DEA laboratory testing has not indicated any correlation between color and potency in rainbow fentanyl. It’s important to undertint that any color, shape, and size of fentanyl is highly potent and extremely dangerous.
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Fentanyl is extremely dangerous due to its high potency, widespread availability, and cheap costs. Currently, the street value of a counterfeit fentanyl pill is anywhere from $1 to $3 dollars a pill. Users can purchase fentanyl from street dealers, but even more concerning they can purchase them on social media sites and even get them delivered to their home.
Fentanyl’s potency and cheap cost are also the reason why drug dealers are mixing it into other drugs, making them more addictive and increasing the risk of a fatal overdose to the unknowing user.
In 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. These seizures are equivalent to more than 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
That’s enough fentanyl for every person in the United States.
Top 3 Things You Can Do To Help:
Know the signs of an overdose:
Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak, or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
Note: Most overdoses aren’t immediate, they occur 1 to 3 hours after the drug is taken
Keep Naloxone readily available
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. It's safe, easy to use, and works almost immediately.
To use it, insert the nasal spray into one nostril while a person is on their back and push the lever down. Individuals should continue to be monitored afterwards.
It’s important to also call 911 as the effects of Naloxone wear off before all opioids may be cleared from the body.
Naloxone is safe but only effective for opioid overdoses, not those caused by other substances like cocaine or methamphetamine.
Help is Always Available
It may be hard to take the first step and ask for help. Ask for help if you’re ready to get treatment for your addiction. Recovery from substance use disorders is possible—and there is help for you every step of the way.
You can find evidence-based treatment and service options near you by visiting findtreatment.gov or by calling the 24/7, National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357)
Resources:
Wisconsin Department of Heath Services: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/professionals.htm
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Hotline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Opioid Prevention https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/aoda/opioidpreventiongrant
Credits:
Created with images by Infinity Lens - "Photograph of Fentanyl Pills with a Skull and Crossbones: Symbolizing danger." • Lubos Chlubny - "Fentanil is opioid used as a pain medication and for anesthesia.,Fentanyl drug and syringe." • jack - "Fentanyl powder & Squeeze fentanyl powder to verify authenticity" • Bartek - "Fentanyl Overdose Crisis Concept with Pills and Prescription Bottle for Substance Abuse Awareness" • Valeri Luzina - "Bottle with lens" • Maris - "Close-Up of Blue Deadly Fentanyl Pills with Skull Marking" • iQoncept - "Fentanyl Deaths News Headlines Rising Increase Overdoses Drug Addiction 3d Illustration" • Maris - "The dark tones and focused composition add a dramatic touch.,A moody portrait of an individual holding a blue pill near their lips, suggesting contemplation." • MclittleStock - "street girl emergency call" • Watcharin - "The phychiatrist is conduction a consultation to the stressful man patient,writing on paper chart,for treatment plan,blurry light around"