What is Rainbow Fentanyl, and Should Parents Feel Worried?

What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain relief and numbing. It is a potent drug that is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.

Fentanyl is prescribed by doctors for management of severe pain and legally comes in the form of injections, skin patches and lozenges like cough drops.

Unfortunately, fentanyl has become a highly abused substance for the effects it can produce, including relaxation, euphoria, pain relief and sedation. This has led to fentanyl being produced and sold illegally all over the world. Various street names for fentanyl include Apace, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Jackpot, Murder 8 and Tango & Cash.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram said that fentanyl is everywhere, in a video for the DEA, and is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.

What does illegal fentanyl look like?

Illegally produced fentanyl can come in a variety of forms including:

• Vapes (injected into vaping liquids)
• Pills of all shapes, sizes and colors
• Powder (off-white to light brown in color)
• Blocks resembling sidewalk chalk
• Mixed into other drugs including marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth and heroin (often unknown by consumer)

What is rainbow fentanyl?

Rainbow fentanyl is the term for illegal forms of fentanyl that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes and sizes and can even look like candy. Although debatable, it is thought to be “a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in a press release by the DEA.

Do we need to worry about fentanyl in our children’s Halloween candy?

According to experts, the answer is no. Although narcotics have been found in candy boxes and other everyday packaging, this has been a means for smuggling the drug, not handing it out to users. It is important to note the pills seized in candy packaging resembled opioid pills and were not disguised as actual candy like common brands, such as Nerds or Skittles. Of course, it is always a good idea to check your child’s candy and remove anything that looks unusual or has already been opened before allowing them to eat it.

What are the symptoms of a fentanyl overdose?

• Falling asleep or losing consciousness
• Slow, weak or no breathing
• Small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Cold, clammy and pale or bluish skin
• Death

Are fentanyl and other opioid overdoses happening in Louisiana?

Unfortunately, the answer is “Yes,” and the numbers are on the rise. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, fatal fentanyl overdoses have increased sharply in Louisiana since 2019: In 2022, 64.9% of suspected drug-related fatalities in Louisiana involved fentanyl, according to post-mortem toxicology tests. That was up from 41.6% of fatalities involving fentanyl in 2019. The trend is also showing an increase in younger teens and children being exposed to fentanyl. It is so prevalent that Louisiana has a law allowing schools to have Naloxone, a medication similar to Narcan that reverses the effect of opioid overdose, on campus. The nurses in our Ochsner Healthy Schools Program are equipped to handle a crisis should one occur.

What is Narcan?

Narcan is a life-saving medication that functions as an antidote to opioids, which means it counteracts the effects of the drug. It can be given during an opioid overdose and can help restore the person’s breathing. First responders and many civilians now routinely carry Narcan. It is now available over the counter in a nasal spray form, and there are several online instructional videos showing how and when to use the medication. Narcan is considered a safe drug and will not have any serious adverse effects, even if given to someone who is not having an opioid overdose. Any person who receives Narcan should be seen in an emergency room because the medication’s effects will wear off after 30-90 minutes.

If you suspect your child is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 and get them to an emergency room immediately. If you have Narcan available, please use it. You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s hotline at 1-800-662-4357.