Pill or Poison

Get Informed

You’re not taking what you think you are... Fentanyl could be hiding in that “good time” you think you’re having.

Know the risks of fentanyl poisoning or overdose so you can make informed decisions.

1

Fentanyl is a synthetic (made in a lab) opiate that was originally developed to medically manage pain.

The same things that make fentanyl effective for treating pain, make it dangerous. A lower dose can make you feel sleepy, but a higher dose can make it difficult to breathe and stop your heart in a matter of minutes.

Just a few grains of salt equals enough fentanyl to kill you in minutes
Source: dea.gov
2

Now, fentanyl is being mixed with counterfeit pills and other street drugs to get people hooked and increase the profit margins.

People mistakenly think they’re getting an authentic pill or power; what they don’t realize is that it could contain a lethal dose of Fentanyl.

Just a few grains of salt equals enough fentanyl to kill you in minutes
Authentic (left) and fake (right) oxycodone
Source: dea.gov
3

Fentanyl has been found in these counterfeit pills and street drugs...

  1. 1 Adderall
  2. 2 Xanax
  3. 3 Oxycodone
  4. 4 Percocet
  5. 5 Cocaine
  6. 6 Heroin
  7. 7 Methamphetamine
  8. 8 MDMA
Source: adamsbroomfieldda.org
4

The majority of fentanyl-related deaths on college campuses are poisonings. The prevalence of fentanyl has made normal experimentation much more dangerous.

Overdose

An overdose occurs when someone knowingly takes a substance and takes too much of it.

Poisoning

In a poisoning, the person unknowingly takes a substance with fentanyl in it. They believe they are taking something else. They may think they’re taking Xanax for anxiety, and Oxycontin for pain, cocaine to party or Adderall to study. But getting these drugs from someone, even a trusted friend, a fellow student or a dealer means they have no way of knowing if the drugs are fake and fatal.

5

Unless a drug has been prescribed by a doctor and was filled at a pharmacy, it is not safe to be trusted.

7 out of 10 counterfeit pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl
Source: dea.gov

In The News

Denver fentanyl deaths on pace to break record

The Denver Gazette

2023-08-18

Read More
An pile of oxycodone pills

Overdose deaths from fentanyl combined with xylazine surge in some states, CDC reports

CBS News

2023-06-29

Read More
A CBS News correspondent presenting a story on lethal cocktails

5 fentanyl overdoses reported in Boulder within 36-hour period: Is a new pill to blame?

The Denver Gazette

2023-04-13

Read More
A bike and a man sitting outside on a bench of an outdoor theater

Denver fentanyl deaths on pace to break record

The Denver Gazette

2023-08-18

Read More
An pile of oxycodone pills

Everyone can do something to save a life.

  • Stay informed
  • Share what you know
  • Spread the word on Social Media
  • Get trained on how to administer Naloxone
  • Be prepared to intervene
Take Action