Why are opioids dangerous?

• Breathing slows or stops (respiratory depression) — the leading cause of fatal overdose.

• Tolerance & dependence: the body needs more to get the same effect; stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal.

• Mixing risks: combining opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax®, Valium®), or other sedatives greatly increases overdose risk.

• Unknown contents: street drugs and counterfeit pills may contain powerful synthetic opioids.

Fentanyl (synthetic opioid)

• Very potent: roughly 50–100× stronger than morphine; tiny amounts can be lethal.

• Hidden in pills/powders: often found in counterfeit “Oxy,” “Perc,” or “Xanax” pills, and in cocaine or meth.

• What to do: carry naloxone (Narcan®), use fentanyl test strips when available, and never use alone.

Carfentanil (synthetic opioid)

• Carfentanil is an opioid (a fentanyl analog).

• Extremely potent: about 100× stronger than fentanyl (≈ 10,000× morphine). Not for human use (intended for large animal sedation).

• Trace amounts can be deadly. Unpredictable when mixed into pills or powders.

Xylazine (non‑opioid sedative)

• Not an opioid. It’s a veterinary sedative increasingly mixed with fentanyl/heroin.

• Naloxone won’t reverse xylazine, but you should still give naloxone because opioids are often present.

• Risks: profound sedation, slowed breathing, low blood pressure, and severe skin ulcers/wounds when injected.

• If you suspect xylazine exposure: call 911, give naloxone, provide rescue breathing if instructed and trained, and seek wound care.

Drug manufacturing & counterfeit risks

• Unregulated supply: illicit manufacturing leads to uneven potency and dangerous contamination.

• Counterfeit pills: tablets sold as oxycodone, Xanax®, or Adderall® may contain fentanyl/carfentanil.

• Beyond pills: fentanyl is found in powders and sometimes in non‑opioid drugs.

• Safer steps: use test strips, start with a tiny test dose, never mix with other depressants, carry naloxone, and never use alone.