Education
Fetanyl is dangerous because...
It is extremely lethal.
There is no safe dose of illicit fentanyl; just a few grains can be deadly. Fentanyl is 50x as strong as heroin and 100x as strong as morphine. It’s also highly addictive.
Fetanyl is dangerous because...
It’s extremely difficult to detect.
Because it is cheap to make and profitable to sell, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs. You can’t see, smell, or taste if a drug contains fentanyl. Many users don’t even know they’re taking it.
Naloxone Saves Lives
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a lifesaving medication that, when given in time, can reverse an overdose from opioids – including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. It’s easy to use, small to carry, and comes in two forms anyone can use without medical training or authorization: prefilled nasal spray and injectable.
How does Naloxone work and how do you use it?
Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes. Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it’s always best to use if you think someone is overdosing.
Naloxone Saves Lives
Who should carry Naloxone?
If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry Naloxone or keep it at home. Because you can’t use Naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.
Where do you get Naloxone?
Naloxone is available in all 50 states. If you’ve been prescribed high-dose opioids, talk to your doctor about co-prescribing Naloxone. In most states, you can also get Naloxone at your local pharmacy without a prescription. You can also get Naloxone from many community-based programs and organizations working to address fentanyl poisoning like EMHF.
Fentanyl Test Strips: A Harm Reduction Strategy
What are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs and drug forms. FTS provide people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply so they can take steps to reduce risk of overdose.
Where can I get Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl Test Strips are readily available in many communities, including from organizations working to prevent fentanyl poisoning like EMHF.
Source: CDC
Fentanyl Test Strips: A Harm Reduction Strategy
How do I use Fentanyl Test Strips?
- Put a small amount (at least 10 mg) of your drugs aside in a clean, dry container.
- Add water to the container and mix together. For most drugs, you’ll need ½ teaspoon of water. If you are testing methamphetamines, use 1 full teaspoon.
- Place the wavy end of the test strip down in the water and let it absorb for 15 seconds.
- Take the strip out of the water and place it on a flat surface for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Read Results
How do I read Test Strip Results?
Positive Results: A single pink line on the left-hand side indicates that fentanyl or a fentanyl analog has been detected in your drugs. If you receive a positive result, it is much safer to discard the batch. Using it could kill you.
Negative Results: Two pink lines indicate that fentanyl or a fentanyl analog has not been detected in your drugs. Remember that no test is 100% accurate and your drugs may still contain fentanyl even if you receive a negative result. You should still take caution.
Invalid results: A single pink line on the right-hand side or no lines at all indicates an invalid test. If you get an invalid result, test your drugs again using a new strip.
How do people encounter fentanyl?
- Intentional use: Opioid users sometimes build tolerance and choose fentanyl for a stronger drug.
- Unintentional use: Many who die from fentanyl poisoning had no idea fentanyl was present.
- Illicit drugs: Fentanyl is often mixed with drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and molly/MDMA.
- Fake prescription pills are the number one risk for teens. Fentanyl is frequently present in fake pills marketed as Oxycodone, OxyContin, Xanax, Percocet, Adderall, and more. Laboratory testing indicates that 7 out of every 10 pills seized by DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.*
*Source: DEA
Signs of overdose
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Slow, weak, or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
What to do if you think someone is overdosing
- Call 911 immediately.
Note: In most states, including Pennsylvania, Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect those who are overdosing and anyone assisting them in an emergency from arrest or charges. These laws aim to reduce fatal overdoses by encouraging people to call 911 rather than avoiding law enforcement due to fear of arrest. - Administer Naloxone, if available.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
Support our Mission
Your gift to EMHF will increase awareness about the dangers of Fentanyl, help people in need access trauma counseling, provide scholarships to local students, and get fentanyl test strips and naloxone into the hands of people who need them. Please give now to help fund this important work.
