Fentanyl is Fatal

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Opioid Safety Coalition

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Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose death. Even in small doses, it can be deadly.  Fentanyl-laced drugs look just like many other drugs. Counterfeit pills are made to resemble other prescription opioids such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) or hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax) or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall). Powdered fentanyl is often mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

 

Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous. People are often unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it.

 

Fatal Dose

Fake prescription pills are often sold on social media and e-commerce sites.
These fake pills are available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors.

Fentanyl is Fatal

          

Major's Story                                                                       Christopher's Story

          

Joel's Story (Spanish)                                                                       Joel's Story (English)

 

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RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF AN OPIOID 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 lips and nails

​IF YOU THINK SOMEBODY IS OVERDOSING

It can be hard to tell if a person is high or experiencing an overdose. Not sure? Treat it like an overdose- you could save a life.

  1. Call 911 immediately.*
  2. Administer Naloxone if available.**
  3. Keep the person awake and breathing.
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  4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking. 
  5. Stay with the person until EMS (Emergency Medical Services) assistance arrives. 

​*California law protects a person overdosing and the person who called for help from legal trouble. 

** Naloxone is a life-saving medication to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is 
available to the public at no cost through San Joaquin County Public Health Services.

 

 

Taking data from 2011 to 2024, the overall deaths from Fentanyl related overdoses have increased dramatically. Although there was a slight decline in 2022, the rates continue to rise till 2024, which has seen a decrease in death rates. image (3) Use based on Race/Ethnicity shows that the Black/African American demographic has been affected disproportionately, with the Native American/Alaska Native demographic having the second highest rates of death, followed by White.   image (2)  The overdose death rate by age group is spread widely, with the most cases being in the 30-34, 25-29, and 40-46 age groups.   image (1)