Fentanyl is a potent lab-made opioid, up to 50X stronger than heroin. 

Some fentanyl products are legal medications that are prescribed by many doctors, but others are illegally made in unauthorized facilities and mixed in with counterfeit and illicit drugs. 

Fentanyl is commonly added to party drugs and fake prescription pills everywhere, so, yes,  you should be worried about it when purchasing any drugs on the streets or off the counter (e.g., anti-anxiety, antidepressants, opioids, stimulants).

Even small doses of fentanyl, as small as 1 to 2 milligrams (equivalent to 2 grains of sand) can be fatal, and some drug dealers are adding fentanyl to other commonly used street drugs. People are dying from unintentional fentanyl use. 

• Share information about this topic with your loved ones, and make sure to talk to everyone, especially children, about the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl

• If you are a parent or caregiver, learn how to recognize and respond to symptoms of mental health struggles in young people

• Join a group and learn how to administer naloxone (also known as Narcan) a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Many recovery community organizations such as Harm Reduction Ohio provide local training and  you can take online courses through organizations like the Red Cross.

• Rapid test strips can determine if drugs are mixed or cut with fentanyl. If you are in Ohio and need some test strips contact our team or Harm Reduction Ohio. For all other states, check with your local CDC's office for available programs or information on how to obtain these test strips. You should use these precausions to always test any illicets drugs before use. 

• Learn to recognize the signs of overdose and be prepared to call for help

• Help spread awareness throughout your community by sharing information about fentanyl. The National Fentanyl Awareness Day site has important facts and figures in shareable graphics.