Alaska Health Warning: Fentanyl

Schools can support families by sharing messages about the dangers of opioids, especially fentanyl.

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illicit fentanyl is commonly mixed with other illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine or counterfeit pills made to look like prescription drugs. It comes in a variety of forms, including pills, powder, chunks or rocks, and liquids. A new and particularly troubling form is rainbow-colored fentanyl in chunks or pills that look like candy. Students, staff and families should know that a very small amount of fentanyl can cause an overdose. Just one pill or a tiny amount can be fatal.

The Alaska Department of Health has issued a new Alaska Health Warning to help alert Alaskans about this danger.