According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,726 total fentanyl deaths in 2022, 2,649 in 2023, and 2,510 cases are predicted for 2024 in Georgia alone.

 Nearly 74,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids (other than methadone) in 2022. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that from 2010 to 2022 the total number of opioid-involved overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 302%.

By educating ourselves and others about the dangers of fentanyl, we can help prevent accidental overdoses, save lives, and build a safer, more informed community.

Here are some frequently asked questions about fentanyl to help you stay informed and vigilant about its dangers:

What is fentanyl?

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

What makes fentanyl so dangerous?

Its extreme potency means that even a tiny amount — just two milligrams — can cause an overdose or death. Fentanyl is incredibly powerful and highly addictive. Moreover, it has no scent or taste, making it nearly impossible to detect if other drugs have been laced with it.

What does fentanyl look like?

Fentanyl typically comes in two forms: powder and liquid. Powdered fentanyl can be disguised to resemble other drugs, often pressed into pills that look identical to prescription medications like Percocet or Xanax. According to the CDC, it is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids. This adaptability makes it dangerous, as users may unknowingly consume it, thinking they are taking a different substance.

What are common fentanyl street names?

According to the DEA, common fentanyl street names include:

How does social media influence fentanyl use?

Social media has played a significant role in increasing fentanyl use among youth through increased exposure and accessibility, peer pressure, influencer promotion, and lack of parental supervision. According to the DEA, adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible given their high rates of social media usage. Consequently, criminal drug networks abuse social media to expand their reach to youth. Parents and guardians should actively monitor their children’s social media usage and have open discussions about the content they encounter.

How can parents and guardians help?

Is there a treatment available to reverse the effects of fentanyl?

Naloxone is an over-the-counter medication designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In the case of an opioid overdose, Naloxone needs to be given right away, which is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an easy-to-use nasal spray version. Naloxone also comes in an injectable syringe, which can be used by emergency medical workers.

How does it work?

A person who overdoses on an opioid (like a prescription pain medication, heroin, or fentanyl) experiences slower breathing or stops breathing completely. In many cases, giving the person naloxone can immediately restore normal breathing.

What are the symptoms of a fentanyl overdose?

According to the CDC, fentanyl symptoms may include:

• Small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils
• Falling asleep or losing consciousness
• Slow, weak, or not breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Cold and/or clammy skin
• Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

What is the Good Samaritan Law?

Often, when people are using fentanyl together and one experiences a potential overdose, the other may hesitate to call for help. However, the Good Samaritan Law (O.C.G.A. 51-1-29) protects individuals from liability when providing emergency assistance, as long as it's done in good faith.

Emergency Steps for Overdose and Mental Health Support

If you, a family member, or a loved one needs assistance from a trained professional for a mental health crisis, please call 988 for 24/7 emotional and substance abuse support.

If you believe someone has overdosed on fentanyl, please:

1. Call 911.
2. Administer the lifesaving naloxone medication if available.
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
4. Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.