Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Prescription fentanyl is safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain.

However, fentanyl is also made illegally.

Recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. and Wisconsin are linked to illegally made fentanyl, which is added to other substances like fake pills, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. As a result, people may not know fentanyl is in the drugs they are using, leading to accidental poisoning. There are also signs that other substances, like the animal tranquilizer xylazine, are being added as well.

There are steps you can take to help save a life and reduce deaths from fentanyl poisoning and accidental overdose.

According to the Center for Disease Control, “naloxone can be given safely to people of all ages, from infants to older adults who my have unintentionally taken an opioid.” Naloxone, also known by its brand name, Narcan®, is a nasal spray that can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose. Always call 9-1-1 before giving naloxone.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a real mental health condition. It can range from mild to severe and involves the physical and psychological dependence on a substance, despite negative consequences. It can affect people across all socio-economic conditions, age and race. However treatment is possible and people can go on to live full, productive lives.

Learn more about substance use disorders here.

Opioids are a class of medications designed to alleviate pain, generally prescribed to treat or manage pain after surgery or injury. Fentanyl is a very strong type of opioid that can be prescribed as a lozenge, pill, nasal spray, transdermal patch or injection. Fentanyl can also be manufactured illegally, sometimes to look like legitimate prescription medication or added to other illegal drugs. Learn more at Dose of Reality: Get the Facts on Opioid.

This is a common argument when it comes to behaviors people object to, similar to arguments against needle exchange programs and prevention of HIV/AIDS. By providing naloxone and fentanyl test strips, we encourage the safe use of drugs to avoid an accidental poisoning or overdose death while also offering resources to encourage people to stop using drugs and get help to address a substance use disorder.

There are too many examples of young people dying after trying drugs just one time to ignore. A simple conversation to raise awareness about the risk of fentanyl in pills made to look like real prescription medications or being added to other illegal drugs empowers your child to make good choices. It may even encourage them to talk to friends, which could help save a life down the road.

There’s a great article on harm reduction at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. Essentially, harm reduction focuses on prevention tactics, reducing risks and promoting health and wellbeing to empower people using drugs to choose purpose-driven, healthy lives.