Learn about the dangers of fentanyl, how people take it, and its risks for drug users and first responders

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a very strong drug from the opioid family, used legally in medicine to help patients with extreme pain, like those with cancer. Doctors prescribe fentanyl in tightly controlled doses through patches, injections, or tablets.

But illegal fentanyl is being made in secret labs and sold on the streets. It’s often mixed into other drugs like cocaine, heroin, or fake prescription pills without the buyer’s knowledge, making it much more dangerous.

How People Take Illegal Fentanyl

People who use illegal fentanyl may do so in several ways:

• Snorting or inhaling powdered fentanyl mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine.
• Smoking fentanyl as part of a blend with other street drugs.
• Swallowing pills that are made to look like prescription opioids, such as Percocet or OxyContin, but actually contain deadly doses of fentanyl.
• Injecting fentanyl directly into their bloodstream, sometimes unknowingly, because it has been added to other injectable drugs like heroin.

Each method poses a serious risk because it is impossible to know how much fentanyl is in the drug, making an overdose highly likely.

Why Fentanyl is So Dangerous

Fentanyl is extremely powerful—50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Even tiny amounts, as small as a few grains of salt or sugar, can be deadly.

When someone takes fentanyl, it affects the part of the brain that controls breathing. Too much fentanyl can cause their breathing to slow down or stop completely, leading to death unless they receive immediate help.

The Risks for Drug Users

Drug users often don’t know that fentanyl is mixed into their drugs. This means they might take what they think is a normal dose of heroin, cocaine, or pills and unknowingly overdose because of the hidden fentanyl content.

Signs of an overdose include:

• Slowed or stopped breathing.
• Unresponsiveness (not waking up when shaken).
• Pinpoint pupils (very small black part of the eye).
• Blue lips or fingertips due to a lack of oxygen.

Without fast intervention, an overdose can lead to death.

Fentanyl’s Threat to First Responders

Fentanyl is not only dangerous to drug users but also to first responders like police officers, paramedics, and firefighters.

Because fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled as a fine powder, even accidentally touching or breathing it in can make someone sick or unconscious. This is why first responders wear gloves, masks, and other protective gear when handling suspected fentanyl cases.

How to Stay Safe and Help Others

1. Learn the Signs of an Overdose

Recognizing an overdose quickly can save lives. Signs include trouble breathing, blue lips or fingertips, and unconsciousness.

2. Carry Naloxone (Narcan)

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including one caused by fentanyl. It is available at most pharmacies without a prescription and should be kept nearby if you know someone who may use drugs.

3. Never Use Drugs Alone

If someone is using drugs, they should do so with someone else present who can call for help in case of an emergency.

4. Dispose of Medications Safely

Unused prescription painkillers should be returned to a pharmacy or disposal site to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

5. Support Harm Reduction Programs

These programs provide safe spaces for people to use drugs under medical supervision, reducing overdose deaths and connecting people with treatment options.

Conclusion

Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that affects everyone in our community—not just drug users but first responders and loved ones too. Understanding how people take fentanyl and why it is so dangerous can help us take steps to save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, help is available.

Reach out to a local addiction service or support program today.