Synthetic opioids are the cause of increasing opioid overdose deaths. Significantly stronger in concentration and often hidden from consumers, fentanyl has a rapidly growing street presence in Sacramento.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used as an analgesic (pain relief). It is known to be 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl produces similar effects to other opioid analgesics including
It can be taken orally by pill, snorted/sniffed, smoked, injected, spiked onto blotter paper, and used through patches, and is most commonly found laced in illicit substances on the street. Fentanyl cannot be detected by sight, taste, smell or touch.
No. Directly touching or being around fentanyl will not lead to an overdose. It must be introduced into the bloodstream or a mucus membrane in order for it to work.
Fentanyl on your skin takes about 48 to 72 hours to absorb if not cleaned off, unless it goes through an open wound.
Even though fentanyl won't lead to an overdose, avoid direct contact with any suspicious substances.
Fentanyl in powdered form needs to be disturbed in order to get into the air and potentially be inhaled. If you're unable to distance yourself or are worried about disturbing it, use a wet cloth/paper towel to cover it.
If you accidentally touch fentanyl, wash your hands as soon as you can with soap and water, and avoid touching your face. Avoid using hot water and alcoholic hand sanitizers and soaps, as that can increase absorption into the skin.
If you believe you or someone got fentanyl into their system, monitor for symptoms of fentanyl use and overdose and administer Naloxone if necessary.
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different drugs and drug forms. Test strips provide important information about fentanyl in the illegal drug supply so communities and people who use drugs can take steps to reduce risk of overdose.
The DEA has reported that over 7 in 10 illicit pills are laced with fentanyl. It's commonly found in other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and pills from nonmedical sources.
Fentanyl can only be detected through test strips, and is impossible to be detected by sight, smell, or taste. Knowing if the drugs you plan to use contain fentanyl can lower your risk of overdose.
Learn more about fentanyl test strips and how to use them here. You can email us at info@sacopioidcoalition.org
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