In the United States, there has been a surge of colorful fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning people, especially parents and guardians, of this deadly colorful fentanyl. More and more fentanyl is being seized, but the current problem is that this new drug is coming in different forms or appearances. The DEA is letting people know that this colorful fentanyl is coming in the form of pills that look like candy, powder, and blocks similar to sidewalk chalk.
The surge of this is a result of the opioid crisis going on in the United States. With that being said, panicking isn’t the next step. These pills are easy to detect for those who are older. The only thing is that it may appeal to younger people because of the color and form it comes in.The colors may look much brighter than actual candy; this is a way that you can determine if it is candy or rainbow fentanyl.
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What is Fentanyl?
These pills have been around for the last couple of years, so they are not new. But fentanyl has been seen a little more frequently in overdoses and accidents than before, which is why there is a warning about it.
In general, there has been an increase in fentanyl overdose cases, but that is not necessarily through the pill. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was intended to help patients with cancer manage their severe pain, but used in very small doses and under professional medical care.
It is important to understand that fentanyl is deadly, and even the smallest dose of it can be deadly. It is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. So, ensure that your kids and those around you are aware of this news. If you feel like you have been in contact with any form of fentanyl, visit your nearest medical emergency facility or call 911.
Resources
DEA: DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans
