STREET NAMES: Apache, China Girl, Jackpot, Dance Fever, and TNT.
What are opioids?
Opioids are sometimes called narcotics. They are a group of drugs that include synthetic opioids like fentanyl, illegal drugs like heroin, and legal prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), morphine and codeine. Prescription opioid pain medications can be helpful when used correctly by people with chronic pain or patients recovering from surgery or experiencing pain associated with cancer. Misue of these drugs can lead to dependence, addiction and death.
Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug. It is responsible for thousands of fatal overdoses in the past several years.
Prescription fentanyl is available under such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze® in the form of tablets, an injectable liquid, lozenges and patches.
When it is intentionally misused, fentanyl often shows up as a powder, spiked on blotter paper or is mixed with or substituted for heroin and other street drugs.
Fentanyl carries a high risk of overdose and fatality. To put it in perspective, it’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. According to the CDC, overdoses involving synthetic opioids increased by 72.2% from 2014 to 2015.
SOURCE: Partnership to End Addiction
Why is fentanyl so dangerous?!
According to the Partnership To End Addiction, in high enough doses, opioids can cause breathing to stop. Fentanyl’s strength increases this risk of overdose significantly. Synthetic opioids sold illegally can be mixed with cocaine or heroin. This increases potency and danger. This is particularly dangerous if an individual uses illegal drugs or misuses prescription drugs because the drugs could be laced with fentanyl.
DEFINED
Types of Opioids
OPIATES
Opiates are prescription drugs morphine; diladid; codiene; oxycodone (Percocet), and hydrocodone (Vicodin)/
CODEINE
Codeine is a popular pain reliver. It is prescribed to treat mild to moderately severe pain.
FENTANYL
OPIOIDS
METHADONE
Methadone is an opioid used to help with opioid addiction. When paired with therapy, methadone can be a powerful aid in recovery but can also be addictive.
CARFENTANIL
Carfentanil is called the Elephant Tranquilizer because is 100 times stronger than fentanyl and is actually manufactured for use on animals including elephants.
XYLAZINE (Not an Opioid)
Xylazine is not an opioid. It is, however, a very strong sedative used in veterinary medicine. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, it is “making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.”
HYDROMORPHONE
Hydromorphone (brand name Palladone) is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It carries with it a high risk for addiction. It can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances, especially alcohol or illicit drugs like cocaine or heroin.
RAINBOW FENTANYL
Rainbow fentanyl refers to brightly-colored fentanyl found in various forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy. This new method employed by drug cartels poses a significant danger, particularly to kids who may mistake the brightly colored pills for candy.
Symptoms of Fentanly Use
Dizziness, Drowsines
Euphoria
Nausea, Vomiting
Pain Relief
Signs of Fentanyl Overdose
Unconscious, Can't Talk
Small, Pinpoint Pupils
Choking, Gurgling
Slow, Weak Breathing
Blue, Discolored Skin
How To Reverse An Overdose
Save!
You can help save lives. Always carry Naloxone.
If you suspect an opioid overdose, administer NALOXONE and get emergency medical assistance right away. Call 911. Naloxone is easy to carry and rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
Make A Suicide Safety Plan
A suicide safety plan includes a list of sources of support and coping strategies to help you when and if you are having thoughts of suicide or feel suicidal. You can write your own safety plan or use a free phone app. But it's best to work with a therapist to make your plan.
Find Fentanyl Test Strips and Naloxone (Narcan)
Review our map of all 50 states and search for Fentanyl Test Strips and Naloxone (Narcan) near you. Together, we can End Native Overdose.
End Native Overdose is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 99-4332473). Our mission is to end drug-related overdose deaths among American Indian and Alaskan Native adolescents through education and public awareness.
Copyright Infringement, Source Citing, Plagiarism
Every effort is made not to plagiarize news stories and original, primary research. I try to be very diligent about citing the original, primary sources of the information shared on this website. All my research is secondary. No copyright infringement is ever intended. If you are a journalist or researcher and believe I have improperly cited your work, please contact me immediately so I can correct it. Thank you, Bridgy
About Bridgette (Hey, that's me!)
Hello, I'm Bridgy, founder of End Native Overdose. I'm a Native Oklahoman; citizen of the United States of America, and the amazing Pit River Nation. I am enrolled in the Illmawi Band. A rising high school senior, I am a member of the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Class of 2025.