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Lethal Dose of Fentanyl

The Dangers of Fentanyl

National Fentanyl Awareness Day - TBD for 2023-24 Year

Community Presentation & Narcan Distribution

On August 23, 2023, co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Behavioral Health: Participants will be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, identify common risk factors for opioid overdose and understand the role of Naloxone in overdose response. Click on the flyers above for the QR code to register. Each participant will leave with a Naloxone kit. 

 
Past events below: 
 
On National Fentanyl Awareness Day CUHSD co-hosted a community event to raise awareness on the dangers of fentanyl. Attendees of this event received a Narcan kit, a medication that is used to reverse an opioid/fentanyl overdose, and if administered timely, can prevent a death. Presenters included the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project, and parent testimonials. Below is the recording and slides from the night.
 
 

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a very cheap and extremely addictive drug. Drug dealers are dangerously mixing illegally made fentanyl w​​ith, and disguising it as, other common drugs like oxy, percocet and xanax to increase profits. This process is not regulated and does not undergo any kind of quality control. Drug users have no way of knowing what they are getting in illegally-purchased drugs, and as little as two milligrams of fentanyl (two grains of sand) can kill a person. 
 
Fentanyl is everywhere: an estimated 250-500 million pills made with fentanyl are in circulation in the U.S. at any time. This doesn’t even account for powder drugs made with fentanyl such as cocaine, MDMA (molly/ecstasy), or heroin. 
 
The practice of cutting drugs with fentanyl is relatively new, so public awareness is low. Educating the public about this crisis is the first step to reversing the tragic outcomes.
 
 

Facts about Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid. 
  • POTENT: Up 50x stronger than heroin and 100x stronger than morphine.
  • LETHAL: A few grains of sand worth can be lethal. (as pictured above)
  • SYNTHETIC: Not plant-based. Made in a lab. 
  • OPIOID: Pain reliever like oxycodone, morphine and heroin.
  • EASILY HIDDEN: Fentanyl can be in any drug including fake pills of oxycodone and Xanax.
 

Fentanyl in Santa Clara County

Fentanyl Takes Friends - County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services
Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project
Santa Clara Co. sees spike in fentanyl overdose deaths during pandemic
The Opioid Epidemic in Santa Clara County
Dealer Charged After 12-Year-Old San Jose Girl Fatally Overdoses on Fentanyl
Los Altos High School Student Dies of Possible Fentanyl Poisoning
Death of rookie San Jose police officer due to 'fentanyl toxicity' coroner says

 

Resources to Learn More and For Support

National Fentanyl Awareness Day - Facts about Fentanyl
California Youthline -  800-843-5200
Song for Charlie
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration
National Institute on Drug Abuse - For Teens
 

 

Additional Videos on Fentanyl