WARNING: Rainbow Fentanyl That Looks Like Candy

You've probably heard the scary stories about fentanyl. It's been all over the news - with thousands of Americans dying from overdoses caused by this synthetic opioid. But what's more alarming is that recent news reports revealed the existence of a new type of fentanyl that could hurt unknowing victims: Rainbow Fentanyl.

Rainbow fentanyl is the latest variation of this powerful opioid painkiller. Because it's so new, there's very little information known about it. This makes it even more dangerous because people don't know what to expect.

To prevent accidental overdoses, it's critical for Americans, especially parents of young children to educate themselves about this new type of fentanyl.

Here are 5 alarming things you need to know about rainbow fentanyl:

1. Rainbow Fentanyl is Made to Look Like Candy

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) revealed that what makes this type of fentanyl dangerous is that it is made to look like candy.  The pills may look like small multi-colored round tablets and this is the reason the media dubbed them rainbow fentanyl. They may also resemble broken blocks of colorful sidewalk chalk or powder.

Some police officers have even said that the pills were packaged in popular candy packaging. This can be extremely deceiving because the colorful pills might make people think that they are harmless. But the truth is, these drugs are anything but harmless.

2. Rainbow Fentanyl Is Marketed Towards Children and Young Adults

The DEA stated that they believe these rainbow fentanyl drugs are marketed toward children and young adults. This is no surprise because the candy-colored appearance may make the pills more appealing to this age group.

Substance abuse in children, teenagers, and young adults is a growing problem in the United States. And while some young people may be hesitant to carry around and use drugs that require drug paraphernalia, carrying a candy-looking pill is much easier to conceal.

This makes it easier for young people to access and use these drugs without getting caught. And because the drug is so new, many young people may not know the dangers of taking it.

3. Rainbow Fentanyl Has Been Seized in 18 States in the United States

If you think rainbow fentanyl is an isolated problem, think again. The DEA has reported that this new type of fentanyl has been seized in 18 states across the United States.

This is a major cause for concern because it means that the drug is being manufactured and distributed on a large scale. And as more people get their hands on this dangerous drug, the greater the chances are that more people will accidentally overdose on it.

It is not unlikely that these colored fentanyl tablets are also being sold on the street in other states not yet spotted by the DEA.  It's important to be vigilant and to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of this drug, no matter where you live.

4. Even 2 mg of Fentanyl Can Kill You

These candy-looking drugs might look harmless, but don't be fooled. What many people may not know is that fentanyl is one of the strongest opioids out there. It is fifty times stronger than heroin and a hundred times more potent than morphine.

This means that even a very small amount of fentanyl can be deadly. In fact, just 2mg of the drug can be enough to kill an adult. For context, two milligrams is equivalent to a few grains of salt or sand!

This is why it's so important for people to know about the dangers of this drug before people accidentally take too much of it. Fentanyl has killed thousands of Americans. In 2021 alone, 71,000 out of 107,000 drug overdose deaths were caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl

5. There's No Way to Know How Much Fentanyl Is in the Rainbow Pills

You might be wondering: If two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill an adult, how much fentanyl is actually in these rainbow pills?

The reality is, there's no way to know. The DEA has said that the strength of these rainbow pills can vary greatly. Because these pills were manufactured illegally, there is no quality control to ensure what  exactly is in these pills.

This means that some pills might have a very small amount of fentanyl while others might have a lethal dose. They might even contain other harmful drugs or chemicals. This makes it even more dangerous to take these pills because you can never be sure what you're taking.

Be Cautious of Rainbow Fentanyl That Looks Like Candy

Experimenting with drugs is never a good idea especially when it comes to something as dangerous as fentanyl. Rainbow fentanyl is an incredibly potent and dangerous drug that can easily lead to an overdose.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid abuse, get help as soon as possible.