While college is undoubtedly meant for studying to achieve a higher degree of education, it is no secret that students party and may participate in drug-use and other recreational activities throughout their time on campus. As spikes in synthetic opioid-related deaths emerge across Washington state along with the rest of the U.S., especially in groups of younger people, it is extremely important to stay alert and vigilant of the appearances and uses of dangerous synthetic opioids, specifically fentanyl.
Per information from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a popular new variety of concentrated fentanyl is being trafficked by drug cartels targeting children and young people: “rainbow fentanyl.” The synthetic opioid comes in brightly colored forms spanning a variety of shapes and sizes, made to resemble candy and sidewalk chalk.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is fifty times more potent than heroin and one-hundred times more potent than morphine. Two milligrams of fentanyl – around ten grains of table salt – is considered a lethal dose. While it is a likely scenario to be offered fentanyl-laced pills at parties and other social gatherings, fentanyl has also been found in fake Adderall pills and other prescription drugs in recent college student overdose cases. This means that this extremely deadly drug takes many forms, increasing the risks for many people to become addicted and potentially die from unintentional use.
Synthetic opioid-related deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, especially in younger demographics. Since 2019, fentanyl-related overdoses have become the leading cause of opiate deaths in Washington state. Amounting to eight deaths per every one-hundred thousand for people under thirty since 2020. With these statistics in mind, everyone, college students or otherwise, should research the risks and appearances of opioids and synthetic opioids within their communities in order to stay safe.
For more information, visit www.dea.gov/drug-information
For drug-related help and hotlines, visit: www.stopoverdose.org , Washington Recovery Helpline , DOH: Drug User Health , www.lacedandlethal.com (preventative information and help for young people in King County)