Let’s reverse the overdose crisis.
You know what doesn’t make sense? Countless people dying from fentanyl overdoses when we have the power to help – when we have facts that can teach us how to stay safe. We all have the power to save lives and prevent overdoses.
The facts on fentanyl
50X
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and a whopping 100 times more potent than morphine.
Did you know that a speck of fentanyl, an amount smaller than a raindrop or a few grains of salt, could literally kill you?
Fentanyl is sneaky: you can’t see, taste, or smell it. Remember, fentanyl is an opioid. Many illicit substances* could be laced with this deadly opioid to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive.
We’ve seen it in so-called “party drugs” like MDMA and cocaine, “study drugs” like fake Adderall, and everything in between – yup, even counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription drugs, including Xanax and oxy.
Long story short? Unless it’s prescribed by a clinician and administered by a pharmacist, don’t trust it.
In California, drug overdose was the leading cause of death among 25 to 54-year-olds in 2022, with the highest rates of overdose among those aged 30-39.
*An illicit drug refers to drugs that are illegal (e.g., heroin, cocaine, etc.) or used for non-medical purposes without a prescription (e.g. counterfeit opioids, Xanax, Adderall, etc.)
Test substances, not fate.
Grab and use some fentanyl test strips to help reduce the chance of an overdose occurring in the first place. These strips test drugs for fentanyl contamination. They give you a simple yes or no on whether fentanyl’s present — just not how much. Most fentanyl test strips on the market cost one dollar per strip, and free or low-cost test strips are also available at California’s syringe services programs (SSPs). You can find more information from the California Department of Public Health.
Learn about treatment resources and harm reduction practices (acting in alliance with people who use drugs for safer and managed drug use).
Recognizing an opioid overdose
How To
Stay safe while saving lives
California’s Good Samaritan law protects those giving emergency medical care at the scene of a medical emergency, including giving naloxone. This means if you act in good faith to help someone who’s overdosing, you’re protected from getting in trouble.
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Inform your community
Knowledge = power. Fentanyl overdoses are preventable. Join us in learning about the risks of fentanyl and how to prevent overdoses.
Get informed today: FactsFightFentanyl.org