There is a growing presence of fentanyl in San Diego County and it's important to be aware of the risk and danger using fentanyl poses to the health and safety of the community.
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat patients with chronic severe pain. It is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
- The high potency of fentanyl greatly increases the risk of overdose, especially if a person is unaware that a powder or pill contains it.
- Illegally manufactured fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, including cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy) as well as Adderall and Xanax (not received from a pharmacy) because it is less expensive.
- Since 2019 in San Diego County, the number of fentanyl-related deaths has significantly increased from 151 in 2019 to over 850 in 2021.
- Most of the fentanyl enters the U.S. from directly south of San Diego.
These are the signs of a fentanyl overdose:
- Pinpoint (small) pupils
- Shallow or no breathing
- Blue or grayish lips/fingernails
- No response to stimulus (i.e. being pinched)
- Gurgling/heavy wheezing or snoring sound