HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2022 (HealthDay Information) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning the general public that colorfully dyed fentanyl — dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” — is available throughout the US.
“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl tablets and powder that are available a wide range of vibrant colours, shapes, and sizes — is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive dependancy amongst children and younger adults,” stated DEA administrator Anne Milgram.
“The women and men of the DEA are relentlessly working to cease the trafficking of rainbow fentanyl and defeat the Mexican drug cartels which are chargeable for the overwhelming majority of the fentanyl that’s being trafficked in the US,” Milgram added in an company information launch.
The DEA and different legislation enforcement officers seized brightly coloured fentanyl and fentanyl tablets in 18 states in August. The confiscated medication embody tablets, powders and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk.
Regardless of assertions that some colours could be stronger than others, DEA laboratory testing has discovered no proof to assist these claims. Nonetheless, fentanyl is extraordinarily harmful, irrespective of the colour, form or measurement, the DEA stated.
An artificial opioid, fentanyl is 100 instances stronger than morphine and 50 instances stronger than heroin. A deadly dose of fentanyl is considered as little as 2 milligrams, or about 10 to fifteen grains of desk salt. It’s not possible to find out how a lot fentanyl is concentrated in a capsule or powder with out conducting laboratory testing, based on the DEA.
Furthermore, fentanyl stays probably the most deadly drug menace to the US. The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention estimates that 107,622 People overdosed and died in 2021, with artificial opioids like fentanyl the reason for 66% of these deaths. Drug poisoning is the main reason behind demise for People between the ages of 18 and 45.
If you happen to encounter any type of fentanyl, chorus from dealing with it and name 911 instantly, the DEA suggested.
Extra info
The DEA’s Fentanyl Consciousness web page lists further group and parental sources.
SOURCE: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, information launch, Aug. 30, 2022
