Harm Reduction to Prevent Fentanyl Overdose

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl is a more condensed, more potent opioid, which means that consuming the same amount of heroin and fentanyl may have different impacts on the body based on an individual’s tolerance. Fentanyl is utilized because it is cheap to manufacture, and because a small amount goes a long way. Many individuals consume fentanyl without their knowledge (because they do not realize that it is in a product they’re using), while others are intentionally using fentanyl because of its potency. It is partly responsible for the current overdose crisis in the U.S., combined with a lack of resources and the criminalization of people who use drugs.
Starting in 2012, there has been a spike in the number of overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have quadrupled in recent years. Because of the War on Drugs and criminalization of people who use drugs, people often are unaware of the exact composition of the substances they’re using. This means that if someone (takes/consumes/uses??) an amount of a (substance/drug?) that their body is able to tolerate, it may actually be much stronger than they expect and account for.   This makes evidence-based harm reduction strategies such as fentanyl test strips, safety planning, and access to safe supply are more vital than ever.
Fast Facts About Fentanyl

• Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that has been used in clinical settings for decades and is often described as 80-100 times stronger than morphine, or about 50 times stronger than heroin.
• Fentanyl is partly responsible for the current overdose crisis in the U.S., combined with a lack of resources and the criminalization of people who use drugs.
• Fentanyl moving through the street market comes in the form of a white, gray or tan powder and can be injected, smoked, or snorted. It has also been found in other drugs, like heroin, meth, cocaine, and pressed pills.
• Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone in the event of an overdose.
• You cannot overdose simply by touching powdered fentanyl. This is a common myth, but fentanyl must be introduced into the bloodstream or a mucus membrane in order for someone to feel the effects. Transdermal fentanyl patches exist and are used primarily in medical settings, but are uniquely formulated to be absorbed by the skin.

Fentanyl Myths: Set the Record Straight
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger than fentanyl, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone if someone is overdosing. When it appears that someone overdosing is not responding to naloxone it may be because:

1. the naloxone needs more time to take effect (wait 2-3 mins before administering more naloxone)
2. they need more than one dose of naloxone (wait 2-3 minutes between doses)
3. the naloxone was administered after the person had been without oxygen for too long

You cannot overdose simply by touching fentanyl. It must be introduced into the bloodstream or a mucus membrane in order for someone to feel the effects. While there are fentanyl patches that can be placed on the skin for pain management, this is not the formulation being cut into other substances.
(information from https://harmreduction.org/issues/fentanyl/fentanyl-use-overdose-prevention-tips/)

Resources for requesting and using test strips:

• ​Request Test Strips: 
• Request Test Strips: 
• Why to use test strips: 
• Video how to use: 
• Video how to use: 
• www.Nextdistro.org provides many harm reduction needs.
• https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/opioid_overdose_prevention/training_calendar.htm#buffalo
• National Harm Reduction Coalition

Fentanyl Kills.  If you're going to use, Test It. 

Download the social media graphics here.