Though many people have heard of “Fentanyl” before, most are unaware of its power. Fentanyl is a narcotic – not necessarily a scent – and can be injected into many popular substances that are consumed by people worldwide. 

This graphic helps put into context the true dangers of fentanyl poisoning. Just ingesting a small speck of the narcotic is all it takes to end a life. I feel that the dangers of fentanyl serve as an important lesson about the risks of the unknown. Furthermore, I believe that it is important to be aware of your own limits, meaning that if someone offers you a substance and you’re unsure about its ingredients, be cautious to accept it because the drink could be laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article in September of 2023 providing details about the deadly narcotic. The article first explains that there are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. Both types are considered to be synthetic opioids. The purpose of pharmaceutical fentanyl is to treat severe pain and is only available by prescription from a doctor. The drug is especially useful after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer.

Illegally Made Fentanyl:

The same article goes into detail about the more popular type of fentanyl which is made illegally. Illegally made fentanyl is only available on the drug market and sold in both liquid and powder forms. Powdered fentanyl appears similar to many other drugs and is commonly mixed with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Powdered fentanyl is also made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids. Liquid fentanyl can be mixed in with nasal sprays, eye drops, and small candies, so be aware.

A quote from the article helps to reiterate what I previously stated above: “Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips.” 

In summary, fentanyl is an invisible narcotic so please beware of who and where you are receiving substances that may contain a “speck” of fentanyl – though small, it can kill you.