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Fentanyl

Learning about fentanyl is crucial due to its extreme potency and its significant role in the opioid crisis. Its presence in many illicit drugs greatly increases the risk of accidental overdoses, making public awareness and education vital for prevention and effective emergency response. Understanding fentanyl can help save lives by promoting the use of naloxone and informing safe practices. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions and potentially save lives.

Fentanyl Resources

Websites

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act of 2015

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act of 2015 (Senate Bill 459, Chapter 26, Statutes of Nevada 2015 NRS 453C.120) created various provisions addressing the opiate overdose epidemic that continues to claim over 300 lives per year in Nevada. The law prevents punitive actions against health professionals and any person who administers naloxone or calls 911 to assist someone who may be overdosing on opiates. It also provides immunity to persons seeking medical treatment for an opioid overdose for themselves or someone else. Learn more about the Good Samaritan Law.

Stop Overdose

To address the increasing number of overdose deaths related to both prescription opioids and illicit drugs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a website to educate people who use drugs about the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, the risks and consequences of mixing drugs, the lifesaving power of naloxone, and the importance of reducing stigma around recovery and treatment options.

Tools & Resources

How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips

Infographics and step-by-step instructions.

Nevada Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Sites

A list and map of Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Sites in Nevada.

Posters & Infographics

What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than morphine. Many people are exposed to fentanyl without knowledge while others use it intentionally because of its potency. Overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 in a 12-month period for the first time! 64%of these deaths involved synthetic opioids, mainly illicitly manufactured fentanyls (IMFs) (May 2020-April 2021). This is up from the more than 91,000 overdose deaths that occurred the previous year (December 2019-December 2020). Synthetic opioids (i.e., illegal fentanyl) appear to be the main driver of the 38.4% increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020. Although the northeast region continues to suffer the highest overdose deaths, several regions of the country showed sharp increases in IMF related deaths. Northeast – 3/5% increase; 5,194 deaths Midwest – 33.1% increase; 2,010 deaths South – 64.7% increase; 4, 342 deaths West – 93.9% increase; 1, 852 death *In jurisdictions participating in State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) Fentanyl is impacting minorities at an alarming rate. Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest mortality rate due to synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2020. In addition, from 2013-2020, the highest changes in this rate were for: non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites. Overdose deaths involving IMF rose 47.6-fold among Non-Hispanic Blacks. Overdose deaths involving IMF rose 35.7-fold among Hispanics. Overdose deaths involving IMF rose 15.9-fold among Non-Hispanic Whites. You can help save lives – Carry Naloxone! An overdose can happen anywhere. If you suspect an opioid overdose, administer naloxone and get emergency medical assistance right away. Naloxone is a small, easy to carry medicine that rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Looking for Naloxone? Visit: naloxoneforall.org How to recognize the signs of an overdose A person will appear to be unresponsive; may have irregular breathing; may appear gray, blue, or have pale skin color; and may have very small pupils. How to reverse an overdose – Immediate action saves lives! Good Samaritan Laws protect you when you are trying to help someone in need. Call 911 immediately – call 911, or direct someone nearby to call and say that you are supporting a suspected overdose. Administer Naloxone – Even though the person is unresponsive: 1) announce that you are going to give naloxone 2) spray the naloxone in the person’s nose. Administer CPR – Tilt the individual’s head to make sure their airways are open. Apply chest compressions. Give Naloxone again – Administer additional naloxone if the person does not regain color or breathing, otherwise continue chest compressions, until help arrives. Remain calm and comforting – If the person is revived, remain calm and compassionate and encourage them to accept help or stay in a public place. Harm reduction is all about keeping people safe in a practical way. Simple tips are to: Carry Naloxone Never Use Alone Go Slow Test Your Drugs Test your drugs for fentanyl Fentanyl test strips can be used to determine the presence of fentanyl in your substance Even if your drugs test negative for fentanyl, use caution and remember the harm reduction steps to take.

What is Fentanyl? Infographic

This infographic was developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Download the infographic

Publications

Drug Fact Sheet: Fentanyl

A fact sheet from the DEA containing frequently asked questions about fentanyl.

Fentanyl DrugFacts

This publication provides comprehensive information about fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, including its characteristics, usage, effects on the brain, overdose risks, treatment options for addiction, and important points to remember for individuals using or encountering fentanyl. It aims to educate the public about the dangers associated with fentanyl use and misuse, as well as to provide resources for further information and support.

Fentanyl Resource Factsheet for Providers

This snapshot of information is intended to provide resources to individuals, parents, professionals, and providers on fentanyl use among Latinos in the United States.

Heroin, Fentanyl, & Other Opioids: A Comprehensive Resource for Families with a Teen or Young Adult Struggling with Opioid Use

Fueled by drugs like heroin, fentanyl and the misuse of prescription pain pills, the opioid epidemic in our country has impacted countless families. To help address this, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids created a new eBook — Heroin, Fentanyl & Other Opioids: A Comprehensive Resource for Families with a Teen or Young Adult Struggling with Opioid Use. Parents and families need to be prepared with the knowledge and skills to identify opioids, spot early use and take action effectively.

National Drug Threat Assessment 2024

On May 9, 2024, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram announced the release of the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), DEA’s comprehensive strategic assessment of illicit drug threats and trafficking trends endangering the United States.

Webinars & Online Learning

Current News & Research

Can touch this: training to correct police officer beliefs about overdose from incidental contact with fentanyl

del Pozo, B., Sightes, E., Kang, S. et al. Can touch this: training to correct police officer beliefs about overdose from incidental contact with fentanyl. Health Justice 9, 34 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-021-00163-5

Over 115 million pills containing illicit fentanyl seized by law enforcement in 2023

NIDA. 2024, May 13. Over 115 million pills containing illicit fentanyl seized by law enforcement in 2023. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2024/05/over-115-million-pills-containing-illicit-fentanyl-seized-by-law-enforcement-in-2023 on 2024, May 13

DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use.