FACTS Fight Fentanyl toolkit
Toolkit Highlight
Fentanyl Facts
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Swipeable Fact Cards
Myth vs. Fact
🧠Myths & Facts About Fentanyl
Myth 1: You can overdose just by touching fentanyl
Fact: You cannot overdose from casual contact (touching powder, pills, residue, doorknobs, money, or being near someone who used fentanyl). Overdose requires fentanyl to enter the body usually by ingestion, inhalation, or injection.
Sources: Washington State DOH, UC Davis Health
Myth 2: All fentanyl is the same and pharmaceutical grade
Fact: There are two types of fentanyl:
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Pharmaceutical fentanyl prescribed for severe pain and safely regulated
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Illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF) unregulated, often mixed with other drugs, and responsible for most overdoses
Source: CDC
Myth 3: Overdose risk is low unless you take a lot
Fact: Fentanyl is up to 50–100× stronger than morphine. Even a few grains can be fatal, especially when mixed unknowingly into other substances.
Sources: DEA, CDC PDF
Myth 4: You can smell, taste, or see fentanyl in a drug
Fact: You generally cannot detect fentanyl by appearance, smell, or taste. This makes it especially dangerous when mixed with other drugs.
Source: CDC
Myth 5: First responders often overdose just by being near fentanyl
Fact: There is no evidence of first responders overdosing from incidental exposure at a scene. Normal safety precautions are enough.
Sources: Health Canada / UC Calgary, Washington State DOH
Myth 6: Naloxone doesn’t work on fentanyl overdoses
Fact: Naloxone does work on fentanyl overdoses when given quickly and may require more than one dose. It remains one of the most effective life-saving tools.
Sources: CDC, UC Davis Health
Street Names References
Street Names for Fentanyl
Apache, China girl, China town, China white, murder 8, jackpot, poison, TNT, tango, cash,Fenty, and Fetty
What It Is
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain medication—up to 100x stronger than morphine. It’s usually prescribed as a patch for severe pain but is very dangerous if misused. Even tiny amounts can cause overdose or death.
Street Supply
Street fentanyl often comes from illegal drug labs or stolen/sold prescription patches. It is usually sold as powder or pills and can be swallowed, smoked, snorted, or injected. It’s often mixed into other drugs (like heroin or cocaine) without the user knowing, leading to many overdoses.
Why It’s Risky
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Impossible to see, smell, or taste in a mix
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A tiny difference in dose can be fatal
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Overdose risk increases with alcohol, sedatives, or other opioids
Overdose Signs
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Hard to wake, slow/shallow breathing
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Snoring sounds, passing out
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Limp body, pale/clammy skin
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Lips/fingertips turn blue or purple
Call 911 immediately. Use a free naloxone kit if available to temporarily reverse an overdose.