What is fentanyl? 
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl—both types are synthetic (or man-made) opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used to treat patients with severe pain, such as after surgery, and sometimes for chronic pain. It can be given as a shot, used as a patch on the skin, or prescribed in lozenge form. Fentanyl is 50–100 times stronger than morphine. While it can be taken safely as administered by a doctor, misuse and abuse of fentanyl is common.
How dangerous is fentanyl?
Fentanyl can be extremely deadly because it is so potent. It is currently the deadliest drug threat in the U.S. Most recent cases of opioid overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. It is often added to other drugs because of its potency. Fentanyl makes other drugs more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous because users are often not aware they are even ingesting it. As little as three salt-sized grains of fentanyl is potentially enough to kill. Nearly one-third of all opioid deaths in San Diego are related to fentanyl.
How do I know if fentanyl has been mixed into my drugs?
You can’t tell if fentanyl is in a drug just by looking at it. If drugs aren’t from a doctor or pharmacy, they likely contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. The best way to stay safe is to avoid illegal powders and pills without your name on the prescription.
How can I prevent a fentanyl overdose?
Most recent cases of opioid overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. It is being added to pills and powders, often without people knowing, and that is leading to an increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Just two milligrams of fentanyl (imagine three grains of salt) could be lethal. It is important to learn what fentanyl is and why it is dangerous, but you should also know the signs and symptoms of overdose and have access to naloxone—a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available in San Diego County—pick up naloxone from a location near you, and add it to your first aid kit today. Carrying Naloxone Saves Lives
Naloxone is a fast-acting medication that can save lives in the event of an opioid overdose. It reverses the effects of fentanyl and other opioids and helps to quickly restore breathing. You should consider carrying naloxone if people you know use pills, powders, or heroin. Administering naloxone is not a treatment for an opioid use disorder. More than one dose of naloxone may be required to revive someone if fentanyl or another strong opioid is involved.
Naloxone is available in San Diego County—pick up naloxone from a location near you, and add it to your first aid kit today. It is also carried at many pharmacies (copay may be required), and you can also check with your health care provider to get access. Having naloxone on hand in the event of an overdose and calling 911 can save lives.
For more information on how to access naloxone, receive a training on how to administer the medication, or to become a naloxone distributor in San Diego County, please contact the County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services Harm Reduction Team at HarmReduction.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Where can I find naloxone?
Please see the following sites and contact information to obtain naloxone free of charge in San Diego County.
Mobile Sources
- A New Path
- Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego
- Phone 1-888-NARCAN-0 (1-888-627-2260)
- Hours (phone line): Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.– 9 p.m.
- Email: harmreduxsd@gmail.com
Walk-in Locations
How to Talk to Youth About Fentanyl
Having a general conversation about pain, stress, and medications is a great first step when talking to youth about drugs and safety. Explain that pain and stress are normal things that happen in life, and provide suggestions on how to manage them. Telling teens not to do drugs is NOT the way to go here. The teens who are the most at risk may just tune this warning out if they feel like they’re being judged. Focus conversations on scientific facts and tangible tips. Listen instead of sharing your own opinion. Talk about how you as a parent or caregiver want them to be safe, instead of focusing on scaring, warning, or punishing them.
Deaths from fentanyl-related overdose have increased dramatically over the past four years (2017–2021) in San Diego County, especially among 15–24 year olds. Fentanyl isn’t a distant danger—it’s hurting our community, and it’s a real risk for teens and young adults. Explain to the teens in your life that fentanyl is an extremely strong and addictive substance that is being mixed into most pills and powders in the local drug supply. You can’t tell if drugs contain fentanyl by look, taste, smell, or touch. Fentanyl being so potent and widespread, yet difficult to easily detect, is why the risk of an opioid overdose is much higher nowadays if someone is using drugs. While one pill might not be deadly, another one could be. Pills and powders from any source besides a medical provider or pharmacy should be assumed to contain fentanyl— which means every dose is a risk.
California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including an overdose from fentanyl. The teens around you may already know what naloxone is, but they may not carry it yet. Let teens know that naloxone is legal for ALL ages without an ID. Families can get naloxone for home or mobile first aid kids at no cost from locations throughout the region.
When someone’s overdosing, they can’t give themselves naloxone. By carrying naloxone at all times, letting others know they have it, and accompanying friends as they use, teens can decrease the chances of a friend suffering a fatal overdose.
Having and giving naloxone can help reverse an overdose, but it’s not the ONLY medical attention someone will need. Impress upon teens the importance of calling 911 if they observe an overdose. Someone can re-overdose if the naloxone wears off. Calling 911 gets first responders to the scene to make sure the person gets the help and medical attention they need. Calling 911 can be scary, but there are laws in California that provide protections for callers in these situations. If you know of youth using opioids, make sure they know help is available.
Let teens know that you are available if they have questions. Encourage them to visit Up2SD.org to learn more about opioid overdose, fentanyl, and how naloxone can save lives.
Live Chat
