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Fentanyl Facts

Over 150 people die every day

from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

WHAT IS AN OPIOID?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.

WHAT IS FENTANYL?

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

cmp-7outof10

7 OUT OF 10

counterfeit pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl.

Reduce the stigma.

The Carbon Monroe Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission holds an interactive experience to simulate the life of someone early in recovery from Substance Use Disorder. During the event you will experience and gain understanding of the challenges and stigma faced by an individual. Each participant receives a “life card” representing the life of a person who is in early recovery. During four 15 minute cycles you will visit various tables representing services a person in early recovery must access. After completion of these cycles a processing session will be done to discuss the experience. These simulations are open to anyone interested in gaining understanding of what people in early recovery face. If you are interested in hosting a simulation or participating in one, click the button below.

BE AWARE OF

OVERDOSE SIGNS

Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see, taste, or smell them. Being able to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and taking action in the event of an emergency can save a life.  Our training will help you learn these vital, life-saving skills.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

The amount of fentanyl seized last year alone

could kill more than 360,000,000 people.

Did You Know?

FENTANYL CAN FIND ITS WAY INTO MARIJUANA.

Fentanyl-laced weed is a term used for marijuana that has been mixed or ‘laced’ with some fentanyl. When a person mixes fentanyl with marijuana, it can produce heightened short-term pleasures for the user.  For the seller, it can also bring higher profits for those selling marijuana by the weight. 

However, fentanyl-laced weed can have negative effects and lead to overdoses.  The combination is both potent and deadly, increasing the addictive qualities of the drug.  In addition, many people who consume fentanyl-laced marijuana have never been exposed to fentanyl before and likely have not developed any sort of tolerance.

Beyond the harmful effects of combining fentanyl with weed, the biggest danger comes from people not knowing fentanyl is present. Often, people who were treated for an opioid overdose weren’t aware that they ingested opioids.

Being unaware of fentanyl within a substance you are consuming drastically increases your odds of experiencing an overdose. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. If you were to take your normal dose of marijuana without knowing it was laced with fentanyl, the side effects could be severe.

According to the CDC, over 150 people die each day in the US because of fentanyl. Opioid overdoses can be fatal, but they don’t have to be if you know how to spot them and take proper action as a result.

If you notice someone start to experience these side effects, they might be experiencing a fentanyl overdose:

  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Confusion
  • Slurred words
  • Sudden fatigue or unconsciousness
  • Slowed breathing
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Blue-tinted or clammy skin

Unlike in situations where powdered substances like heroin, cocaine, or meth are laced with fentanyl – with marijuana, you can sometimes notice a visual difference. If you see white specks inside of your weed, it could be laced with fentanyl.

Other times, people report smelling strong chemical scents similar to paint thinner, and say they associate that with fentanyl. It’s not advised to taste or smell a substance to see if there is fentanyl in it as those are two common ways it’s ingested.

If you want to be certain about whether or not there is fentanyl in your weed, fentanyl testing strips can be used to detect fentanyl within a substance.

Whether you smoke it knowingly or not, smoking fentanyl-laced weed is considered polysubstance use. Polysubstance use occurs anytime you have two or more different substances in your system at the same time.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which is a type of depressant. Depressants, sometimes also referred to as downers, tend to slow down the body. They can cause feelings of relaxation and help with sleep and pain relief.

Marijuana can act as both a depressant and a stimulant at times, though it is primarily a depressant. This means for most, it causes relaxing effects, but for some, it could also cause a boost in energy and alter your perception of reality, as well.

When you mix together two similar substances, it may increase the speed at which you feel the effects but it can also increase your risk of an overdose. In the case of depressants, it can slow down your breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels when you have too much in your system at once.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
PA Statewide Mental Health Support Line: 1-855-284-2494
Monroe County: MHDS 570-421-2901

Fight Fentanyl

Fentanyl Poisoning Stops Here.

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