Dangers of Fentanyl

Fremont Police Department would like to share this video regarding the dangers of fentanyl. The video contains the interview of a family who suffered a loss due to accidental fentanyl overdose. Viewer discretion is advised. The video is available with English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese subtitles. To toggle between captions, please go into the video's settings, then subtitles/CC.

弗里蒙特警察局想分享这段有关芬太尼危险的视频。视频中采访了一个因意外服用芬太尼过量而遭受损失的家庭。一些内容可能会令人不安。该视频有英语, 西班牙语, 和简体中文字幕。要在字幕之间切换，请进入视频设置 Settings，然后进入Subtitles/CC。

El Departamento de Policía de Fremont desea compartir este video sobre los peligros del fentanilo. El vídeo contiene una entrevista de una familia que sufrió una muerte debido a una sobredosis accidental de fentanilo. Se recomienda su discreción. El vídeo está disponible con subtítulos en inglés, español y chino. Para ver los subtítulos, vaya a la configuración del video y luego a los subtítulos/CC.

• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that mimics the effects of morphine in the human body. It was first developed to provide opioid pain management in 1959.

• Fentanyl is fifty times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine.

• Due to high potency, availability, and low cost to produce, fentanyl is being used as a cutting agent in heroin and other illicit drugs.

• Fentanyl is also being used in the production of counterfeit pharmaceutical medication, including pills. There is no way to know how much fentanyl is contained in each counterfeit pill.

• The potency of these drugs has led to a significant increase in overdose-related deaths throughout the nation.  According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2021 nearly 71,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids. Synthetic opioid-involved death rates increased by over 22% from 2020 to 2021.

• Fentanyl can be ingested orally and inhaled through the nose or mouth.  Fentanyl can also be absorbed through skin, however, skin exposure is not expected to lead to toxicity due to its extremely poor penetration of the skin barrier.

• Fentanyl comes in a variety of forms including, powder, liquid, and pills, and it’s seen in a variety of colors.

• When a person is under the influence of fentanyl it can produce effects such as: relaxation, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pupil constriction, and respiratory depression.

• 2-3 milligrams of fentanyl can induce respiratory depression, arrest, and possibly death.  2-3 milligrams is approximately 5-7 individual grains of table salt.

• Signs of fentanyl overdose may include, slow breathing or no breathing, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils, skin rash, or clammy skin.  Symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure or ingestion.  Fentanyl overdose lowers the heart rate and depresses the respiratory system.

• If someone is suspected of ingesting or being exposed to fentanyl: seek immediate medical attention.  If someone exhibits overdose symptoms, administer Naloxone (Narcan).   If fentanyl was ingested through mouth or eyes and the person is conscious, rinse eyes and mouth with cold water. If there was skin contact with fentanyl, immediately wash the area with soap and water.  DO NOT use hand sanitizer as it may increase absorption of fentanyl through the skin.  

Recognize Fake Drugs with Fentanyl

Photographs were obtained from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 

NOTE:  Below are some examples of fake pills. Some fake pills appear in similar colors compared to the authentic pills and it is visually difficult to distinguish between the authentic pill vs. the fake pill.

Authentic vs. Fake Xanax

Authentic vs. Fake Oxycodone

Fake Oxycodone that appears very similar to Authentic Oxycodone

Rainbow Fentanyl

More Information

• Center for Disease Control
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

If you are seeking assistance in an emergency situation, please call 911.