In observance of National Fentanyl Awareness Day last week, the San Marino Police Department shared information about the deadly opioid drug, including the dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs, on the agency’s social media.
SMPD defined fentanyl as a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to provide pain relief and as an anesthetic. It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as a pain reliever.
Clandestinely produced fentanyl is encountered either as a powder or in fake tablets and is sold alone or in combination with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.
Fentanyl, similar to other commonly used opioids for pain relief, produces effects, such as relaxation, euphoria, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction and respiratory depression, according to SMPD.
The department also warns that overdose may result in stupor, changes in pupillary size, cold and clammy skin, cyanosis (bluish-purple color of the skin), coma and respiratory failure leading to death, with a triad of symptoms including coma, pinpoint pupils and respiratory strongly suggestive of opioid poisoning.
SMPD also added that common street names for fentanyl are “Apache,” “China Girl,” “China Town,” “Dance Fever,” “Friend,” “Goodfellas,” “Great Bear,” “He-Man,” “Jackpot,” “King Ivory,” “Murder B” and “Tango & Cash.”
First published in the May 16 issue of the San Marino Tribune
