Amelia Ward
Staff Writer
Brightly-colored pills and powders containing high doses of fentanyl meant to attract younger users have been found in 21 states across the country, causing a spike in opioid-related deaths in the United States. Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, is a concern for the health of all. As Halloween nears, the increasing spike of deaths and appeal to younger audiences puts teenagers directly at risk.
According to cdc.gov, fentanyl is often added to other drugs due to its extreme potency, making drugs more deadly, addicting, and cheaper to produce. Fentanyl pills and powders come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes, making them less recognizable than other opioids, so they appear similar to candy or pharmaceutical pills.
According to dea.gov, the multi-colored substance is being used to target younger audiences. As reported by the DEA, the use of bright colors is an emerging trend throughout drug cartels to make pills seem fun or harmless, resembling candy or prescription pills. This Halloween, all members of the Manhattan Beach community should understand and communicate basic safety precautions like avoiding candy that appears to be tampered with or any substance that appears unfamiliar.
Per cdc.gov, provisional research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that 107,622 drug overdose deaths took place in 2021, with 67% by fentanyl. Clearly, fentanyl is driving the opioid epidemic, making awareness and education a priority to ensure safety and reduce fatalities on a larger scale. Between 2019 and 2020, the rate of overdose deaths for teens aged 14 to 18 doubled, and rose another 20% in the first half of 2021. From January to June 2021, nearly 1,150 teens died from an overdose, 77% due to Fentanyl. Teens are mistakenly consuming counterfeit pills labeled as Xanax, Vicodin, or Adderall contaminated with lethal amounts of fentanyl.
Per National Public Radio (NPR), some argue that fentanyl is not a danger this Halloween as predicted, and that drug traffickers are not targeting children or young adults. Instead, they may be targeting older groups of Americans who mistakenly take a laced pill, instead of their regular prescription. However, instilling addiction in younger consumers would produce long-term customers and expand their profits, making young adults a prime target.
The spread of deadly fentanyl is an issue of concern for Americans, as it has resulted in an increase of opioid deaths, now targets a younger audience of teenagers, and puts communities at risk on Halloween.
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