Rainbow Fentanyl Tennessee

The DEA Warns of Rainbow Fentanyl Pills

In the United States, fentanyl tablets with rainbow colors, a variation of pressed pills, have hit the scene hard. The vivid colors of these pills, which are almost similar to Sweet Tarts, may be marketed toward teens and younger people. However, all ages should be aware of these new fentanyl pills and the deadly risk they pose.

Keep reading to find out about the risks of rainbow fentanyl in Tennessee, and how Resurgence Tennessee can help you overcome fentanyl addiction with effective programs for recovery!

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be fifty times more powerful than heroin. Fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids are responsible for almost two-thirds of overdose deaths in the United States.

The advent of “rainbow fentanyl,” according to the DEA, is a calculated strategy on the part of drug traffickers to increase heroin and opioid use among young people. They’re also a way for a drug trafficking group to market their “brand,” similar to dealers who stamp bags of heroin.

Because fentanyl is a drug for pain blocking, it causes the body to produce a flood of feel-good endorphins. A doctor may prescribe -opioid medication to help with extreme pain, but many opioids are also available illicitly for other purposes. All opioids are highly addictive, and excessive usage can have negative consequences.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is one of the deadliest substances on the market, and it is affecting people in all fifty states. Fentanyl is a prevalent contamination in other illegally obtained narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, THC, and counterfeit alprazolam, which just makes the problem worse.

Where Does Rainbow Fentanyl Come From?

According to a West Virginia US Attorney, the tablets were made in Mexico and smuggled to Oregon via California before making their way to West Virginia.

He also marked that “youth drug overdose deaths have quadrupled” in recent years. But it’s not just young overdose deaths – it’s all overdose deaths.

Not everyone who is exposed to illicit fentanyl does so on purpose; many are introduced to the synthetic opioid by accident. Prince, a popular musician, died after taking what he thought were Vicodin pills but turned out to be fentanyl. Other well-known people have also had negative reactions after using crushed tablets containing fentanyl.

What Are Pressed Pills?

Pressed pills are synthetic opioid analgesics designed to look like prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone. To the untrained eye, it might be difficult to tell the difference between a pressed pill and the actual thing.

Drug cartels and traffickers employ fentanyl powder and pill presses to make illicit versions of legal opiate painkillers. Opioid medications are often prescribed despite their addictive properties, leading to a thriving illegal black market among people who are unable to refill their prescriptions legally. As a result, Mexican drug traffickers keep flooding the United States with pressed pills, fentanyl, and, most recently, rainbow fentanyl to cash in on the growing demand.

More than 75% of the over 100,000 fatal drug overdoses reported by the CDC for the United States in 2021 were caused by synthetic opioids like rainbow fentanyl.

The Real Risk of a Fatal Opioid Overdose

In both illicit opiate usage and prescription pharmaceutical abuse, overdose is a common outcome. Unintentional overdose in children is on the rise because of the availability of new forms of concealment, such as rainbow-colored fentanyl. Because of their smaller stature, lighter build, and lack of tolerance to opioids, children are at greater risk of experiencing an overdose. An overdose is potentially fatal and needs emergency medical assistance right away.

Signs of an overdose include:

• Slowed respiration
• Confusion
• Lack of awareness
• Loss of consciousness
• Bluish or ashy lips
• Frozen or clammy skin

When this happens, the only recourse is a dose of Naloxone.

What Is Naloxone?

Naloxone, a drug that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose, is safe to use on children, teens, and adults experiencing an overdose. It counteracts the body’s natural opioids by binding to their receptors. Naloxone’s effects last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. It’s crucial to get care right away because it’s possible for the effects of an overdose to linger after the drug wears off.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved this drug in both nasal spray and injectable form. It’s crucial to keep naloxone on hand if you or a loved one suffers from fentanyl addiction. It is widely distributed by community health organizations and is available for purchase at local pharmacies.

Protecting Loved Ones from Fentanyl

Medication should be stored safely and out of the reach of children. Make sure that any drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, are stored in a secure location.

Educate them on the things discussed in the article above. It’s best that they find out from a parent or someone they look up to instead of a peer or classmate who introduces them to it because they believe “it’s cool” and experience peer pressure.

Find Help for Rainbow Fentanyl Pills and Opioids Now!

At Resurgence Tennessee, we help clients daily who have challenges with rainbow fentanyl pills or any other form of the drug. Our expert team will help you conquer the most difficult stages of withdrawal and detox to safely enter one of our care levels for therapy.

With the right treatment plan and team by your side, you can experience long-term recovery and a return to a normal life. For more information about how we can help, contact a member of our Admissions team today for a confidential discussion of your options!