Rainbow fentanyl is a brightly colored powdered version of the toxic opioid that is highly addictive and deadly. Fentanyl comes in many forms, including powder, pills, capsules, liquid, a nasal spray, skin patches, or sometimes as a lollipop or tablet that dissolves like a cough drop. It is difficult to differentiate powdered fentanyl from other substances; therefore, it can be ingested unknowingly if mixed with other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and meth.
The effects of this drug are devastating, and it can lead to severe health complications, including overdose and death. We urge parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take action to protect their loved ones from this deadly drug. Additionally, establish open and honest conversations with children about the threat of fentanyl, how they can be targeted, and how to develop an exit strategy if offered drugs.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine; more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to fentanyl. Two-thirds of the 108,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2021 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please seek help immediately. There are resources available, including substance abuse treatment programs and support groups that can help you overcome addiction and reclaim your life.
For more information, visit the CDC Fentanyl information page: Fentanyl | NIOSH | CDC
