​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â€‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescribed by doctors to reduce severe pain. It’s 50-100 times stronger than morphine or heroin. Recently, illicit fentanyl is being mixed into counterfeit drugs and sold to people who are unaware of its presence, resulting in fatal poisonings and overdoses in our community. ​
What We Know and What We Should Know
The loss of young lives is devastating. The data presented is to help young people and adults in the community understand and spread awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Encouraging young people to become empowered with the knowledge to make safe and informed decisions can save lives.
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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​Rainbow Fentanyl
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The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)​ has advised the public since 2022 about Rainbow Fentanyl. Brightly colored fentanyl in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (pills, powders, and blocks) are a met​hod to appeal to children and adolescents. It’s important for families to have conversations about accepting unknown items from strangers and people they may know. ​DEA Press Release​ ​
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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Rainbow Fentanyl Alert on September 21, 2022, informing the community on the concerning trends of the fentanyl epidemic and rainbow fentanyl.
The DEA provides facts about fake pills and resources for parents and partners to spread the word.
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Public Safety Alert on the nationwide increase in lethality of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills​.
- DEA Fentanyl Awareness #justKNOW Campaign - learn about the special exhibit created by the DEA to commemorate the lives lost from fentanyl poisoning,
Faces of Fentanyl.
- DEA One Pill Can Kill Campaign - What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know about Fake Pills:
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Fact Sheet​
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The How - How Do Kids Get It
Young people face significant mental health challenges. When youth are not comfortable seeking help from family, school resources, or medical professionals, they may seek coping strategies. Unfortunately, many consider or turn to prescription drugs often supplied through drug dealers on social media and the Internet. Without knowledge about the dangers of fentanyl being in counterfeit pills (fake prescription pills), they unknowingly put themselves at a greater risk of a lethal fentanyl overdose or poisoning.
Song for Charlie Research
​Fentanyl is different from the drugs adults were warned about in their adolescence and the methods to obtain them have changed. Whereas the ​use of other illicit drugs may lead to addiction and increase the risk of overdose, fentanyl is lethal in one-time use for a small quantity. ​
​ Emoji Drug Code: Decoded
Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms - making them available to anyone with a smartphone. Download the Emoji Drug Code: Decoded Infographic​ to learn more about how emojis are being used in conjunction with illegal drugs.​
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Safety Advice for Patients & Family Members
​Fast Facts
- Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos and prescription drugs COMBINED.​
- Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.
- Fake pills are the main reason fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing amongst youth.
- Over 150 people die everyday from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
- Fentanyl mixed with Xylazine is an emerging threat in the U.S.
- Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
- Naloxone is a life saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is available in all 50 states and can be purchased without a prescription in California.
- Street names for fentanyl: Apache, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Jackpot, Murder 8, Tango & Cash
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