Last week, the city of Los Angeles issue an alert about recent Fentanyl overdoses.
We wanted to make you aware of this important health alert from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. We encourage you to take a moment to review the alert.
Health Alert: Counterfeit Pills Contaminated with Fentanyl Causing Drug Overdose
The Los Angeles Department of Public Health is issuing a health alert after four adolescents were found overdosed following purchasing counterfeit narcotic pills at Lexington Park, including one student found deceased on campus at Bernstein High School in Hollywood on September 13, 2022.
Nationwide, there has been a growing trend of illicit drugs (particularly methamphetamine and cocaine) and counterfeit pills contaminated with fentanyl and other life-threatening substances.
Rainbow Colored Fentanyl Is A Growing Concern
We also see rainbow colored Fentanyl in the news at the national level, as evidenced by a recent Yahoo News story. This drug that looks like candy is meant to entice kids to try it: Rainbow Colored Fentanyl
Per the article, “Now drug cartels are distributing the lethal opioid in rainbow-colored pills that are apparently intended to appeal to children and teenagers. On Aug. 30, the Drug Enforcement Administration warned the public that the new pills are spreading quickly and targeting youth. So far, the pills have been seized in 21 states, DEA Administrator Ann Milgram said in a press conference Tuesday.”
5 Things To Know About Fentanyl
1. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine.
It is a schedule II prescription drug typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic® and Sublimaze®.
2. It is relatively cheap to produce, increasing its presence in illicit street drugs.
Dealers use it to improve their bottom line. According to a report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, evidence suggests that fentanyl is being pressed into pills that resemble OxyContin, Xanax, hydrocodone and other sought-after drugs, as well as being cut into heroin and other street drugs. A loved one buying illicit drugs may think they know what they’re getting, but there’s a real risk of it containing fentanyl, which can prove deadly.
3. Naloxone (Narcan) will work in case of overdose, but extra doses may be needed.
Because fentanyl is far more powerful than other opioids, the standard 1-2 doses of naloxone may not be enough. Calling 911 is the first step in responding to any overdose, but in the case of a fentanyl-related overdose the help of emergency responders, who will have more naloxone, is critical. Learn more about naloxone and responding to opioid overdose >>
4. Even if someone could tell a product had been laced with fentanyl, it may not prevent their use.
Some individuals claim they can tell the difference between product that has been laced with fentanyl and that which hasn’t, but overdose statistics would say otherwise. Some harm reduction programs are offering test strips to determine whether heroin has been cut with fentanyl, but that knowledge may not be much of a deterrent to a loved one who just spent their last dollar to get high.
5. Getting a loved one into treatment is more critical than ever.
Help Starts With A Phone Call
If you have a loved one with a drug addiction, contact me (Dr. Louise) to discuss options. There is always hope. I have decades of experience helping families put the pieces back together, learning to thrive again.
