'Rainbow Fentanyl': DEA warns about dangerous drug after suspected overdoses lead to deaths among young children

Recently, law enforcement agencies have issued alerts after suspected overdoses and deaths involving fentanyl among children were witnessed in Hays County. In at least 18 states, DEA agents have seized rainbow-coloured fentanyl pills.

Children may mistake these items for candy while young people may find them more attractive because of their rainbow colours, according to the DEA. Fentanyl can kill even in small doses, such as two milligrams. So, it is very dangerous.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is approved for treating severe pain with a prescription. When misused, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, making it effective in pain relief.

In many cases, fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths are caused by illegally made and sold fentanyl, which is often mixed with heroin or cocaine.



Fentanyl-related deaths in Texas have risen sharply, with 214 deaths attributed to fentanyl in 2018 and 1,672 attributed to fentanyl in 2021, according to provisional figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to prevent drug overdoses:

• Using illicit drugs or drugs from the street or unknown sources is never a good idea.
• Ingesting unknown substances can be dangerous for children and teens, so adults should talk to them about it.
• It is essential to keep all prescription medications and other drugs out of the reach of children; if there is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
• The Texas Poison Center Network can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 if you are experiencing adverse health effects or have questions about fentanyl or opioid overdose exposure.
• Naloxone (opioid reversal agent) is available through the state's distribution programme for individuals and organisations on morenarcanplease.com.

FAQs

1. What is fentanyl used for?
Answer:- Synthetic Fentanyl is used as pain medication.

2. How potent is fentanyl?
Answer:- When misused, it is fifty times stronger than heroin and a hundred times more potent than morphine.