Drug Use/ Effects
What form(s) does fentanyl come in?
Pharmaceutical or illicit forms, such as counterfeit pills, powders, and liquids.
What amount of fentanyl dosage is fatal?
A 2mg dose of fentanyl is fatal--> similar to the size of a few grains of salt.
True or False: Currently, teenagers are more actively using/ seeking fentanyl and other opioids.
False: Most teenagers do not intentionally seek out fentanyl or other opioids. In fact, teen drug use has remained relatively low in recent years.
What is harm reduction education?
Schools and communities provide life-saving overdose education alongside naloxone training.
When was fentanyl first developed by pharmaceutical researchers? (decades)
1960's
What are the desired effects of fentanyl?
Pain resistance, drowsiness, and/or sedation.
What percentage of teenagers experience a fatal overdose after using fentanyl?
75%
Where globally is illicit Fentanyl most commonly used?
Illicit Fentanyl is commonly sold and distributed within North America, primarily Canada and the United States.
Which medication can reverse a fentanyl (or other opioid) overdose in emergencies?
Naloxone (Narcan)
What chemical in your brain does fentanyl stimulate? (hint: "euphoric" sensation)
Dopamine
What schedule drug is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.
It is accepted for medical use and recognized as having high abuse potential (psychological/ physical dependence).
Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors very strongly, causing the brain to....
...stop sending signals to the lungs notifying them to breathe.
What age demographic consumes the largest quantities of Fentanyl?
Typically between 25- 44 years old.
What is the primary way of treating a fentanyl addiction?
Replacement opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine.
True or False: In 2023 U.S. authorities seized 115,000,0000 pills containing fentanyl, 70% contained a lethal dose.
False: 115,000,000 pills
How potent is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is approximately 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine.
What are at least 3 side effects of fentanyl usage?
- Dizziness & confusion
-Chills
- Vomiting
- Fainting
-Constipation & difficulty urinating
What income group is fentanyl most commonly consumed by, and why?
Illicit fentanyl is most common in lower-income communities due to reduced access to healthcare and mental health treatment.
(Increasingly prominent in middle-income communities).
What is the name of the DEA campaign that educates the public about the dangers of counterfeit prescription pills, which are frequently laced with fentanyl?
"One Pill Can Kill"
In 2018, a famous rapper known for “Lucid Dreams” died after ingesting drugs containing fentanyl.
Juice WRLD
What are the three ways/ reasons people use fentanyl?
1) Legitimate medical use
2) Intentional illicit use (seeking a high)
3) Accidental use
Fentanyl causes Wooden Chest Syndrome, what is this?
A life-threatening condition where the muscles in the chest, abdomen, and diaphragm become rigid.
Breathing becomes nearly impossible, leading to rapid asphyxiation.
True or False: Adult males experience 2x as many fatal overdoses, in comparison to females.
True
What is integrated care, and how does it combat stigmas surrounding opioid users?
Integrated care is a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and recovery support services.
These programs seek to address the psychological cause of addiction, while educating the public and providing a judgment-free environment.
Which singer died in 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose? (think Purple Rain)
Prince died in 2016 after taking what he believed to be Vicodin, but was instead a counterfeit fentanyl pill.