Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 61 FREQUENTLYASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FENTANYL What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is a drug that is 50-100 times more potent than other opioids (such as heroin, oxycodone and morphine). Doctors may prescribe fentanyl for severe pain and for some medical procedures. Because of the strength of this drug, the dose must be very carefully monitored by a health care provider to make sure that the person does not overdose. Sometimes fentanyl is used illegally and not received from a licensed prescriber (such as a doctor or nurse practitioner), or is not used properly.This is when using the drug becomes very dangerous; it can slow down a person’s breathing, lead to a coma and even cause death. What does fentanyl look like? Police have found illegal fentanyl in communities across Saskatchewan in the following forms: • pills sold as fake oxycodone or other street drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine or ecstasy; • powder (sold as heroin or fentanyl); • powder mixed into other drugs such as cocaine, crystal meth or marijuana; and • fentanyl patches used for purposes other than they were prescribed. Some slang terms for fentanyl include: fake oxy, greenies, green beans, beans, green apples, apples, eighties and shady eighties. What are the risks of misusing fentanyl? When fentanyl is illegally made, sold and improperly used, its use is very risky because: • Drug dealers sometimes sell this drug by telling the buyer that it is oxycodone when it is actually fentanyl or other substances. • There could be other toxic chemicals combined with fentanyl.There is no way of knowing the strength or toxicity of the drug. • Some people use prescribed fentanyl incorrectly. This could lead to an overdose which could result in death. What are the signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose? An overdose means that the amount of drug a person has taken is more than the body can handle.The body then has trouble working properly.When a person overdoses they may feel or seem sleepy.They may also have: • “pinpoint” pupils; • trouble walking or talking; • bluish coloured and/or cold and clammy skin; • a slow heartbeat; • trouble breathing or slow, shallow breathing (10 – 12 breaths/minute) or snoring; • seizures; and • severe sleepiness, stupor or coma. What should I do if I see someone who may have mistakenly taken drugs containing fentanyl or who has taken too much of the drug? Don’t delay. Call 911 right away if the person becomes unconscious, stops breathing, has chest pains, or has a seizure. If it is safe to do so, remove any fentanyl pills in the person’s mouth or patches on the person’s skin so that the drug does not continue to be absorbed into their body. If possible, stay with the person until medical help arrives. Illegal fentanyl users can be in danger of dying even with their first use of the drug. What advice do you have for people who are taking (or thinking about taking) illegal fentanyl? Using fentanyl that is not prescribed for you or selling or buying fentanyl from someone that is not a licensed prescriber is both illegal and unsafe. Illegal and improper use of this drug can cause death.The best way to stay safe is to not use illegal drugs at all.While we advise against illegal use, people who do use drugs should be sure to: • not use alone; • start with a small amount; • know that mixing drugs and/or alcohol could lead to an overdose; and • use where help can be reached right away. saskatchewan.ca/addictions continued
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