Fentanyl use among youth in this country is on the rise and is a major concern. AUHSD is sharing important information on Fentanyl to discuss with your student and keep them safe.

One form of fentanyl is known as Rainbow fentanyl. It can be found in many forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy. Any pill, regardless of its color, shape, or size, that does not come from a health care provider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.

Anyone who encounters fentanyl in any form should not handle it and should call 911 immediately.

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:

• Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
• Falling asleep or losing consciousness
• Slow, weak, or no breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Cold and/or clammy skin
• Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

It may be hard to tell if a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose. Here are the steps that could save a life:

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Administer naloxone, if available
3. Try to keep the person awake and breathing
4. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
5. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives

Get more facts about Fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). See the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s warning about the rise in Fentanyl use at Drug Enforcement Agency